Afrim Krasniqi

After Albania's Court of Appeals failed to end to the main opposition Democratic Party's leadership battle, the rival two groups within the party on Monday both submitted their applications to the Central Elections Commission for the local elections on May 14.

Albania's President, Ilir Meta, will end his mandate in office after winning a Constitutional Court battle with the ruling Socialist Party, which dismissed him via a vote in parliament nine months ago.

In a verdict on Wednesday, the Court said the accusations made against Meta "do not constitute serious violation of the constitution".

After boycotting Albania's parliament for around two years, one of the first initiatives of the opposition when it returned in September, after losing the April 25 elections, was vetting politicians.

Opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha has called for the same vetting procedure to be applied to politicians as to justice officials.

After the news that the US has barred former Democratic Party leader and Albanian President and PM Sali Berisha, experts told BIRN that his opposition centre-right party might benefit from this decision in the long run.

Some appear to be members of the National Guard, state police and army, who by law would be prohibited from engaging in party politics.

Facebook logo. Photo: Unsplush/kon-karampelas

According to the report, the biggest parties predictably spent more money in sponsored posts for political content than the others.

Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has appointed four ministers who come from Kosovo, sending a "political message" about his ambitions to play a wider role in the region, experts said.

On Saturday, Rama presented 33 government vice ministers, four of whom are professionals from Kosovo and little known in Albania.

Albania's Prime Minister, Edi Rama, has appointed four ministers who come from Kosovo, sending a "political message" about his ambitions to play a wider role in the region, experts said.

On Saturday, Rama presented 33 government vice ministers, four of whom are professionals from Kosovo and little known in Albania.

Albania's opposition centre-right Democratic Party, PD, is mulling how to revive its fortunes and win over the voters, following its disastrous defeat in the parliamentary election in June. Internal rifts have since further undermined the party's unity.

In a polarized political environment, the election process in Albania was concluded one hour after the scheduled closing time, as the committee responsible for them gave a small extension.