A recent study by the Civic Resilience Organization highlights serious concerns about the misuse of state resources in Albania’s elections. The survey, conducted across the six largest cities, reveals that 84.5% of participants believe such practices influence election results. The majority (66%) consider the misuse of public resources both unfair and abusive.
More than 78% of respondents report that public officials use state resources for electoral purposes, with over half (57%) saying civil servants actively participate in campaigns. Respondents also note the misuse of public funds, facilities, and infrastructure by political parties, with 50-55% observing this during election periods.
Migen Qiraxhi, head of the Civic Resilience Organization, warns that the lines between state and political party interests are increasingly blurred. “Political parties often use the public administration to maintain power, pressuring civil servants to stay aligned with the ruling party,” he says.
The survey also finds that 36% of respondents face pressure to vote for a particular candidate, and 25% change or abstain from voting due to such pressure. More than 67% report seeing public employees forced to show political support during work hours, with some facing threats of job loss if they refuse.
A majority (82%) of Albanians call for tougher penalties for those caught misusing state resources during elections, urging immediate action to protect the country’s democracy.
