Alliance for a Magnificent Albania
Alliance for a Magnificent Albania Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | ASHM PD–ASHM |
| Leader | Sali Berisha |
| General Secretary | Flamur Noka |
| Spokesperson | Floriana Garo |
| Founder | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Founded | 3 March 2025 (agreement) 4 March 2025 (registered) |
| Preceded by | Bashkë Fitojmë |
| Headquarters | Tirana, Albania |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Centre-right to right-wing |
| National affiliation | |
| European affiliation | |
| Parliament of Albania | 50 / 140 |
Alliance for a Magnificent Albania (Albanian: Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore, ASHM), officially registered for the 2025 Albanian parliamentary election as Democratic Party–Alliance for a Magnificent Albania (Albanian: Partia Demokratike – Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore, PD–ASHM), is an Albanian electoral coalition led by the Democratic Party of Albania (PD) and Sali Berisha. It was formed in March 2025 by PD and 25 allied parties as the main opposition coalition against the Socialist Party of Albania (PS) government of Edi Rama.[1][2]
The coalition is the successor to earlier PD-led opposition and governing alliances, including the Union for Victory Coalition of 2001, the Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Welfare of 2005, the Alliance for Change of 2009 and 2021, the Alliance for Employment, Prosperity and Integration of 2013, and the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition used by the Berisha-led opposition bloc in the 2023 Albanian local elections. Unlike those predecessor coalitions, PD–ASHM was created under the name and logo of the Democratic Party and was registered as a single electoral subject with Berisha authorised to submit the coalition's candidate lists.[3]
In the 2025 election, PD–ASHM received 529,435 votes, or 32.93% of the valid vote, and won 50 of the 140 seats in the Parliament of Albania. It finished second behind the Socialist Party, which won 83 seats and a fourth consecutive parliamentary majority.[4][5]
Name
[edit]The coalition's full official name was Partia Demokratike – Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore, usually shortened to Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore or PD–ASHM.[1] The name was associated with the coalition's campaign theme, Ta bëjmë Shqipërinë madhështore ("Let's make Albania magnificent"), a slogan that echoed Donald Trump's campaign slogan and was used by PD representatives in presenting the alliance.[6]
The registration documents and media reports used both the shorter coalition title and the longer ballot name beginning with "Democratic Party". Reports on the registration stated that PD was the leading party, that the coalition would run under the PD logo, and that Berisha would submit the multi-name candidate lists on behalf of the coalition.[3]
Background
[edit]Earlier PD-led coalitions
[edit]The Democratic Party has frequently contested parliamentary and local elections through broad electoral coalitions with small centre-right, conservative, nationalist, Christian-democratic, monarchist, agrarian, minority-interest and liberal parties. These arrangements have often served two functions: to unite anti-socialist parties behind the PD and to integrate allied party leaders or candidates into common electoral lists.
The first major PD-led alliance after the 1997 Albanian civil unrest was the Union for Victory Coalition (Albanian: Bashkimi për Fitoren), created for the 2001 Albanian parliamentary election. It brought together the Democratic Party, the Republican Party of Albania, the Legality Movement Party, the Albanian National Front Party and the Liberal Democratic Union, among others. The coalition obtained 46 seats and remained in opposition.[7]
Before the 2005 Albanian parliamentary election, Berisha and the PD organised the Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Welfare (Albanian: Aleanca për Liri, Drejtësi dhe Mirëqenie). The broader right-wing bloc won the election and Berisha returned to office as Prime Minister of Albania. In the 2009 Albanian parliamentary election, the governing right ran as the Alliance for Change (Albanian: Aleanca për Ndryshim), while in the 2013 Albanian parliamentary election the PD-led coalition was named the Alliance for Employment, Prosperity and Integration (Albanian: Aleanca për Punësim, Mirëqenie dhe Integrim). The 2013 election ended with the defeat of Berisha's government by the Socialist-led Alliance for a European Albania.
The PD again used the name Alliance for Change in the 2021 Albanian parliamentary election under the leadership of Lulzim Basha. After the internal split within the Democratic Party, the Berisha-aligned faction competed in the 2023 Albanian local elections through Bashkë Fitojmë, a coalition with the Freedom Party of Albania, the Demochristian Party of Albania and the Unity for Human Rights Party. ASHM was subsequently presented as a larger, parliamentary-election coalition built around the Berisha-led Democratic Party.
Political context before 2025
[edit]The 2025 parliamentary election was held after three consecutive Socialist Party victories in 2013, 2017 and 2021 and during Rama's third term as prime minister. The opposition campaign took place in a polarized environment marked by disputes over corruption, public procurement, organised crime, emigration, judicial reform and the role of the Special Anti-Corruption Structure (SPAK).[8]
The International Foundation for Electoral Systems reported that the 2025 election involved 53 registered political parties, 11 candidate lists, 2,046 candidates, 5,225 polling stations, and 3,713,761 registered voters, including voters abroad.[9] The 2025 election was also the first parliamentary election in which Albanian citizens living abroad could vote by post, a change that affected campaign strategy and became the subject of post-election political disputes.
According to the OSCE/ODIHR final report, the campaign was competitive but the playing field was not fully level. The report noted pressure on public employees, intimidation of opposition supporters, misuse of patronage networks, allegations of vote buying, attempts to influence vulnerable voters, and alleged criminal influence in some areas.[10]
Formation
[edit]PD–ASHM was finalised at the legal deadline for coalition registration in early March 2025. News reports stated that the Democratic Party and 25 allied parties signed the agreement and submitted the registration request to the Central Election Commission of Albania shortly before midnight on 3 March 2025.[1][11] The Central Election Commission later listed the coalition among the electoral subjects that competed in the 2025 parliamentary election.[2]
The agreement declared the coalition's objective to bring about a change of government in the 11 May 2025 election. It described the signatories as opposition forces and set out a common programme based on democratic rotation, rule of law, free-market policies, Western orientation and the removal of the Socialist-led government.[1][11] The document also authorised Berisha, as the PD leader, to present the coalition's candidate lists and gave Franci Nuri and Marash Logu authority to carry out registration and procedural representation at the CEC.[3]
Media reports described the negotiations as complicated because several smaller allied parties sought electable positions on the closed portion of the coalition's candidate lists. According to Shqiptarja.com, the agreement allocated eight favourable positions to allied parties: four to the Freedom Party, and one each to the Republican Party, the Environmentalist Agrarian Party, the Unity for Human Rights Party and the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity.[3]
Member parties
[edit]Sources reported the coalition as consisting of PD and 25 allied parties, for a total of 26 parties. Some later summaries listed only the largest or most visible members. The following table reflects the party list reported at the time of the coalition agreement.[11][3]
| Party | Leader or representative | Main tendency or interest | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PD | Democratic Party of Albania Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë |
Sali Berisha | Conservatism, liberal conservatism, pro-Europeanism | Leading party; submitted the coalition list | |
| PL | Freedom Party of Albania Partia e Lirisë |
Ilir Meta | Social democracy, social conservatism, pro-Europeanism | Largest allied party | |
| PR | Republican Party of Albania Partia Republikane e Shqipërisë |
Fatmir Mediu | National conservatism | Long-standing PD ally | |
| PDK | Demochristian Party of Albania Partia Demokristiane e Shqipërisë |
Nard Ndoka | Christian democracy | Former member of several PD-led coalitions | |
| PBDNJ | Unity for Human Rights Party Partia Bashkimi për të Drejtat e Njeriut |
Vangjel Dule | Greek minority interests, human rights | Long-standing minority-interest party | |
| PAA | Environmentalist Agrarian Party Partia Agrare Ambientaliste |
Agron Duka | Agrarianism, environmentalism | Former member of PD-led coalitions | |
| PKKA | National Conservative Party of Albania Partia Kombëtare Konservatore Albania |
Kujtim Gjuzi | Conservatism | Small conservative party | |
| PESH | Albanian Emigration Party Partia Emigracioni Shqiptar |
Kostaq Papa | Diaspora interests | Small diaspora-oriented party | |
| AAK | Arbnorian National Alliance Aleanca Arbnore Kombëtare |
Gjet Ndoj | Albanian nationalism | Small nationalist party | |
| AEE | European Ecological Alliance Aleanca Europiane Ekologjike |
Sazan Guri | Environmentalism | Small environmentalist party | |
| PAK | People with Disabilities Personat me Aftësi të Kufizuar |
Gjovalin Shqalshi | Disability rights | Disability-interest party | |
| PLDN | Democratic Movement for Change Party Partia Lëvizja Demokratike për Ndryshim |
Nikolin Staka | — | Small party | |
| PLL | Legality Movement Party Partia Lëvizja e Legalitetit |
Shpëtim Axhami | Constitutional monarchism, right-wing | Historic monarchist party | |
| PBD | Albanian Democratic Union Party Partia Bashkimi Demokrat Shqiptar |
Ylber Valteri | Centre-right | Small party | |
| ORA | Time Party of Albania Partia Ora e Shqipërisë |
Zef Shtjefni | — | Small party | |
| LDKSH | Albanian Demochristian League Lidhja Demokristiane Shqiptare |
Mhill Gecaj | Christian democracy | Small Christian-democratic party | |
| PKD | Christian Democratic Party of Albania Partia Kristian Demokrate e Shqipërisë |
Dhimitër Muslia | Christian democracy | Small Christian-democratic party | |
| FRD | New Democratic Spirit Fryma e Re Demokratike |
Sali Shehu | Liberal conservatism | Party founded by former PD figures | |
| BLD | Liberal Democratic Union Bashkimi Liberal Demokrat |
Arian Starova | Liberalism | Long-standing small liberal party | |
| PBK | Albanian National Front Party Partia Balli Kombëtar Shqiptar |
Adriatik Alimadhi | Albanian nationalism | Historic nationalist party | |
| PBKD | Democratic National Front Party Partia Balli Kombëtar Demokrat |
Artur Roshi | Albanian nationalism, national conservatism | Nationalist party | |
| PBPPSH | People's Union of Albanian Pensioners Party Partia Bashkimi Popullor i Pensionistëve Shqiptar |
Selami Jenishehri | Pensioner interests | Small pensioner-interest party | |
| PEISH | Party for Europeanism and Integration of Albania Partia për Europianizim dhe Integrimin e Shqipërisë |
Rivelino Çuno | Roma and Egyptian minority interests | Minority-interest party | |
| RVSH | The True Albanian Path Rruga e Vërtetë Shqiptare |
Muharrem Doda | — | Small party | |
| AMIE | Macedonian Alliance for European Integration Aleanca e Maqedonasve për Integrimin Europian |
Vasil Sterjovski | Macedonian minority interests, pro-Europeanism | Minority-interest party | |
| PDIU | Party for Justice, Integration and Unity Partia Drejtësi, Integrim dhe Unitet |
Shpëtim Idrizi | Cham issue, Albanian nationalism | Joined after negotiations with PD | |
Ideology and platform
[edit]PD–ASHM was primarily a centre-right to right-wing coalition. Its largest party, the Democratic Party, is generally described as conservative and pro-European, while its allied parties ranged from Christian-democratic and liberal-conservative parties to monarchist, agrarian, nationalist, minority-interest, pensioner-interest and disability-rights parties. Several members, including the Albanian National Front Party and the Democratic National Front Party, are associated with Albanian nationalism, while the PBDNJ and AMIE represent minority-interest politics.
The coalition agreement presented the alliance as a vehicle for political rotation after 12 years of Socialist Party rule. It emphasised rule of law, anti-corruption, free enterprise, European and Western orientation, public security, social protection and the reversal of emigration.[11] The coalition's public rhetoric was strongly anti-government, and it accused the Rama government of corruption, state capture, emigration and the weakening of independent institutions. These claims were presented as the coalition's political position rather than as findings of an official body.
The 2025 campaign was largely dominated by the two main political forces: the ruling Socialist Party and the PD-led opposition coalition. A campaign-finance assessment by BIRN noted that the Socialist Party built its message around EU integration by 2030, while the opposition focused mainly on criticism of the government; smaller parties, especially new entrants, had more limited access to traditional media promotion.[12]
2025 parliamentary election
[edit]Campaign
[edit]The coalition campaigned under Berisha's leadership and framed the election as a contest between political rotation and Rama's continuation in office. The campaign used anti-corruption, anti-emigration and cost-of-living themes, as well as criticism of public procurement, patronage networks and the concentration of power under the Socialist government.
International IDEA's 2025 social-media monitoring report found that social media was an important campaign arena in Albania's parliamentary election, particularly because online campaigning was only partially regulated and the temporary government ban on TikTok affected the digital communication ecosystem.[13] The opposition also used the diaspora vote as a campaign issue, with party meetings and media messaging directed at Albanians living abroad.
Former president Ilir Meta, the leader of the Freedom Party, remained a prominent figure within the coalition despite being in pre-trial detention following his October 2024 arrest. Reports before the election stated that the Freedom Party decided that Meta would run as a candidate on the open list in Tirana County, rather than only on the closed part of the coalition list.[14]
Results
[edit]The Central Election Commission's reporting for 2025 listed 11 electoral subjects competing in the parliamentary election. The final distribution of seats gave 83 seats to the Socialist Party, 50 to PD–ASHM, 3 to the Social Democratic Party of Albania, 2 to the Opportunity Party, 1 to Lëvizja Bashkë, and 1 to the Nisma Shqipëria Bëhet coalition.[2]
The official CEC decision on the allocation of mandates records PD–ASHM with 529,435 votes, equal to 32.93% of valid votes nationwide. The coalition won 50 seats and became the largest opposition group in the new legislature.[4] The Socialist Party won 856,318 votes, equal to 53.27%, and secured a majority of 83 seats.[4]
| Electoral subject | Votes | % | Seats | Status after election |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Socialist Party of Albania | 856,318 | 53.27 | 83 / 140 |
Government |
| Democratic Party–Alliance for a Magnificent Albania | 529,435 | 32.93 | 50 / 140 |
Opposition |
| Social Democratic Party of Albania | 49,890 | 3.10 | 3 / 140 |
Opposition |
| Opportunity Party | 49,006 | 3.05 | 2 / 140 |
Opposition |
| Lëvizja Bashkë | 24,621 | 1.53 | 1 / 140 |
Opposition |
| Nisma Shqipëria Bëhet | 64,268 | 4.00 | 1 / 140 |
Opposition |
Post-election disputes
[edit]After the election, the Democratic Party and the PD–ASHM coalition refused to accept the result as politically legitimate and alleged electoral irregularities. The coalition filed several complaints before the election administration, including complaints regarding campaign offices, public administration conduct, vote counting and diaspora voting. The Commission of Appeals and Sanctions reviewed a number of these submissions during and after the electoral process.[15]
International observers did not endorse the opposition's allegations of systematic fraud, but they did identify serious structural problems affecting the electoral environment. The OSCE/ODIHR final report noted a lack of a fully level playing field, misuse of administrative resources, pressure on public employees, intimidation of opposition supporters, misuse of patronage networks, reports of vote-buying and attempts to influence vulnerable voters.[10] These findings were used by the opposition in its post-election criticism of the process.
Predecessor coalitions
[edit]Although ASHM was a distinct 2025 coalition, the article is often treated as part of the broader sequence of Democratic Party-led electoral alliances. The following section summarises the main predecessor coalitions that used common lists or formal pre-electoral agreements.
Union for Victory, 2001
[edit]The Union for Victory (Albanian: Bashkimi për Fitoren) was formed after the Democratic Party's defeat in 1997 and the political crisis caused by the collapse of the pyramid schemes. It presented Berisha's bloc as a broad opposition alliance and used anti-corruption, rule-of-law and anti-socialist messaging. The coalition received 37.1% of the vote and 46 seats in the 2001 election, leaving the Socialist Party in power.[16][17]
Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Welfare, 2005
[edit]The Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Welfare (Albanian: Aleanca për Liri, Drejtësi dhe Mirëqenie) was created before the 2005 parliamentary election. It grouped the Democratic Party with several centre-right and right-wing parties, including the Republican Party, the Demochristian Party, the Liberal Democratic Union and other smaller groups. The bloc's victory brought Berisha back to the premiership after eight years in opposition. The 2005 campaign also showed the importance of allied parties and coordinated candidate strategies under Albania's mixed electoral system at the time.[18]
Alliance for Change, 2009
[edit]The Alliance for Change (Albanian: Aleanca për Ndryshim) was the PD-led coalition in the 2009 parliamentary election. It included traditional right-wing allies as well as small parties that supported Berisha's second term. After the election, the PD-led bloc governed in coalition with the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), whose move from the left-wing bloc to the government majority was decisive for the parliamentary arithmetic.
Coalition for the Citizen, 2011
[edit]For the 2011 local elections, the Democratic Party and its allies formed the Coalition for the Citizen (Albanian: Aleanca për Qytetarin). The coalition included PD, LSI, PDIU, PR, PAA, PLL and several smaller parties. The 2011 election became particularly contentious in Tirana, where the final result was decided after a prolonged vote-counting and legal process.
Alliance for Employment, Prosperity and Integration, 2013
[edit]The Alliance for Employment, Prosperity and Integration (Albanian: Aleanca për Punësim, Mirëqenie dhe Integrim) was the PD-led coalition in the 2013 parliamentary election. It ran against the Socialist-led Alliance for a European Albania, which included the LSI after it left Berisha's government. The 2013 election ended the Democratic Party's eight-year period in power.
People's Alliance for Work and Dignity, 2015
[edit]In the 2015 local elections, the PD-led bloc used the name People's Alliance for Work and Dignity (Albanian: Aleanca Popullore për Punë dhe Dinjitet). The coalition competed against the Socialist-led Alliance for European Albania, which controlled the national government.
Alliance for Change, 2021
[edit]The 2021 Alliance for Change was led by Lulzim Basha's Democratic Party and included PDIU, PR, PAA, LZHK, PDK, PBKD, BLD, PBD, PLL, FRD, PBDNJ and the Christian Democratic Party. The bloc won 59 seats but remained in opposition after the Socialist Party secured a third consecutive mandate.
Bashkë Fitojmë, 2023
[edit]Bashkë Fitojmë ("Together We Win") was the immediate predecessor to ASHM. It was used in the 2023 local elections by the Berisha-aligned opposition together with the Freedom Party, the Demochristian Party and the Unity for Human Rights Party. The coalition was formed during the legal and organisational dispute over control of the Democratic Party and the use of its symbols.
Election results
[edit]Parliamentary elections
[edit]Local elections
[edit]See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 "PD koalicion me 25 parti politike. Dërgohet në KQZ kërkesa për regjistrimin e "Aleancës për Shqipërinë Madhështore"". BalkanWeb (in Albanian). 4 March 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Raportimi i KSHZ në Kuvendin e Shqipërisë mbi veprimtarinë e KQZ për vitin 2025". Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve (in Albanian). 29 June 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "'Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore'/ Për të rrëzuar Ramën, Berisha firmos dhe me Gjuzin, Jenishehrin, Gurin e Kostaqin". Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). 4 March 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Për shpërndarjen e mandateve midis subjekteve zgjedhore dhe përcaktimin e kandidatëve fitues në zonën zgjedhore Qarku Kukës për zgjedhjet për Kuvend të datës 11 maj 2025" (PDF) (in Albanian). Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve. 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Albania Parliament: May 2025 election results". IPU Parline. Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Nina, Vitjon (4 March 2025). "Zbardhet marrëveshja e PD-së me aleatët, bazohet në pesë shtylla kryesore me hijen e sloganit të Trump". Albanian Post (in Albanian). Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Elsie, Robert (2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania. Scarecrow Press. p. 458. ISBN 978-0-8108-7380-3. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ↑ "Albania, Parliamentary Elections, 11 May 2025: Final Report". OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Elections in Albania". IFES Election Snapshot. International Foundation for Electoral Systems. 11 May 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 Republic of Albania: Parliamentary Elections, 11 May 2025: ODIHR Election Observation Mission Final Report (PDF) (Report). OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 23 October 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Dokumenti/ PD firmos me 25 aleatë, koalicionin 'Aleanca për Shqipërinë Madhështore'! Ja pikat e marrëveshjes". Bota Sot (in Albanian). 4 March 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Likmeta, Besar; Voko, Klodiana (March 2026). Campaign Financing for the 2025 Parliamentary Elections in Albania (PDF) (Report). BIRN Albania. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Social Media Monitoring: Albania's Parliamentary Elections 2025". International IDEA. 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Kryesia e PL miraton vendimin, Ilir Meta garon për deputet në listën e hapur të Tiranës". BalkanWeb (in Albanian). 4 March 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "KAS pranon pjesërisht kërkesën ankimore të koalicionit "PD–ASHM"". Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve (in Albanian). 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Bashkimi për Fitore pritet të dalë me një qëndrim për zgjedhjet". TV Klan (in Albanian). 19 July 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ↑ "Bashkimi për Fitore, gati të hyjë në parlament". TV Klan (in Albanian). 11 November 2001. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ↑ "Parlamentswahlen 2005 in Albanien: Gespaltene Linke überlässt geeinter Rechter die Macht". Albanische Hefte (in German) (2): 6–7. 2005. ISSN 0930-1437. Retrieved 7 July 2026.