Source: European Parliament
The Commission acknowledged that the repeat municipal election took place in Himara on 4 August 2024. Holding transparent, inclusive and credible elections in line with international standards is a key requirement for any country aspiring to join the EU. A number of complaints by representatives of political parties were dealt with by the Albanian complaint mechanisms.
The Commission also took note that the Electoral College decided to uphold the decision of the Central Election Commission’s Sanctions and Complaints Committee which had dismissed the opposition coalition’s request to invalidate the results of the Himara by-elections and repeat the mayoral by-elections in the municipality.
The EU will continue to encourage Albanian authorities to address all outstanding recommendations from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe — Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and from the Venice Commission on the electoral process.
The Commission attaches the highest importance to the respect of rule of law and fundamental rights all throughout the accession process.
Through the enlargement process and EU-Albania Stabilisation and Association Agreement[1], the Commission follows closely reforms on the rule of law and the strengthening and protection of the fundamental rights in Albania , including minorities, assesses progress and provides policy recommendations in that regard notably through its annual report[2].
Moreover, as from 2024 Albania also participates in the annual Rule of Law Report[3].
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02009A0428%2802%29-20210901
- [2] SWD(2024) 690 final , https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a8eec3f9-b2ec-4cb1-8748-9058854dbc68_en?filename=Albania%20Report%202024.pdf
- [3] https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/0154dce1-5026-45de-8b37-e3d56eff7925_en?filename=59_1_58088_coun_chap_albania_al.pdf