The European People’s Party (EPP) has submitted 26 amendments to the 2025 Albania report to the European Parliament, strongly highlighting systemic shortcomings in elections, justice and governance. The report, drafted under the leadership of Albania Rapporteur Andreas Schieder, highlights the serious failures of the Albanian government in key areas such as elections, justice, administration and governance. The report stresses that without deep and irreversible reforms, Albania risks losing credibility in the European Union.
MEP Andrey Kovatchev and the EPP group have submitted a package of amendments denouncing serious systemic shortcomings in the 2025 parliamentary elections in Albania. The report highlights the extensive use of public resources by the ruling party, the lack of a level playing field for the opposition and allegations of vote buying. According to the document, the lack of a clear separation between state institutions and party structures undermines competition and citizens’ trust.
The report calls for a comprehensive electoral reform, in cooperation with civil society and international partners, that ensures equal access to the media, protection against misuse of administrative resources, and effective law enforcement.
The report also describes the ongoing challenges of the judiciary, including the backlog of unresolved cases and attempts at undue influence. MEPs underline the importance of implementing the decisions of the Constitutional Court and of the independence of the judiciary. High-level corruption remains a key concern, while SPAK needs to be strengthened to build a clear track record of investigations and convictions. The report criticises the government for high economic informality and inefficiency in the administration, which hamper the business environment and competition. The NAKSHI is also in the spotlight, for its lack of transparency and control in public procurement and digital infrastructure. MEPs call for independent audits and comprehensive investment and procurement control mechanisms.
The report highlights the deterioration of media freedom, the centralization of ownership and the economic pressure on journalists. In conclusion, through amendments tabled by the EPP group, MEPs call for immediate action by the Albanian authorities: comprehensive electoral reform, depoliticization of the administration, a determined fight against corruption and full transparency in public procurement, warning that Albania's EU perspective remains at risk without these interventions.
