Source: European Parliament
The Commission took note 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.
The Commission also took note that the Central Election Commission’s Sanctions and Complaints Committee ruled to reject the request to invalidate the results of the Himara by-elections, since no discrepancy was identified between the electoral material and the number of people who turned up at the voting centres.
The EU will continue to follow electoral developments in Albania and 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.
The Commission attaches the highest importance to the respect of rule of law and fundamental rights, including the protection of property rights in Albania.
Through the stabilisation and association process and the enlargement process, the Commission closely follows the consolidation of property rights in Albania and assesses progress through its annual report[1].
- [1] SWD(2024) 690 final, https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/document/download/a8eec3f9-b2ec-4cb1-8748-9058854dbc68_en?filename=Albania%20Report%202024.pdf