Albania’s main political parties have submitted their candidate lists for the upcoming parliamentary elections, marking a major reshuffle.
The ruling Socialist Party approved a list of 186 candidates, with 46 placed on a secure, closed list and 140 competing for votes. Notably, only 52 current Socialist MPs will run again, and just 16 made it onto the closed list, including Prime Minister Edi Rama, who leads the race in Tirana.
The opposition Democratic Party, led by Sali Berisha, finalized a similar structure with 46 candidates on a secure list and 140 in open competition. Berisha will top the ticket in Tirana, followed by key party figures and coalition allies.
A surprise omission was Jorida Tabaku, the most-voted female candidate in party primaries, who was left off the closed list despite leading key European integration efforts.
The elections are set to test both parties’ support as the country heads into a heated campaign season.
