Victory for European Albania: Democratic Election as a Step Towards 'Strong States'
Victory for European Albania: Democratic Election as a Step Towards 'Strong States'

Summary/Abstract: The Albanian parliamentary election in June 2009 demonstrated a gradual, yet strong and promising trend of democratization. The results of the recent elections (2001, 2005 and 2009) provide an empirical basis to argue that voter opinion has been accurately reflected in the composition of parliament. Furthermore, as no party gained a simple majority in the 2009 election, political parties in Albania have had to form a coalition to establish the current Government. Historically, Albanian political parties were pressured to form political consensus by European organizations. The consensus obtained internally in the form of coalitions is, however, a source of legitimacy and stability. This stability makes a small country like Albania more coherent and ‘strong’, as opposed to a ‘Weak State’. To become a ‘European’ nation in the Balkans, the country must be stable or ‘strong’ enough to be a regional security provider rather than a consumer. Hence, graduation from the status of ‘Weak State’ is an essential part of Europeanization in the Balkans. This paper optimistically claims ‘victory for European Albania’ in the 2009 parliamentary election.

• Details
• Contents