Die Parlamentswahlen in Albanien vom 23. Juni 2013 - Rotation der Macht oder Renaissance der Politik?
Parliamentary Elections in Albania on 23 June 2013 - Rotation of Power or Renaissance of Politics?

Summary/Abstract: The parliamentary elections in Albania on 23 June 2013 ended with a landslide victory of the opposition coalition under the leadership of Edi Rama, the president of the Socialist Party – constituting a “referendum” given the ballot against a third government of Sali Berisha. The result came as a surprise to nearly everybody: Sali Berisha did not expect to loose the elections at all; Edi Rama did not expect to win so easily, and many international observers expected a rather close result. The article provides an analysis of the results and comes to the conclusion that the only difference to the previous Albanian elections lies in the number of votes between the two political blocks. While many observers do give the elections a positive assessment, the paper argues that the challenges of the “logic of clientelism” in Albania still prevail, also, in and after these elections. The crucial question whether the election results actually represent just another rotation of power or rather a “renaissance and a renewal” of politics in Albania – as promised by the opposition – can only be answered after the new government is given the chance to proof its willingness and capability to overcome a nearly systemic clientelism which is wide-spread in all spheres of public and private life. Edi Rama has shown in his first period as mayor of Tirana that he is capable of positive surprises, which should be considered as a chance and as a hope. However, despite all reasons for optimism, without strong international support the government will not be in the position to confront successfully the serious economic and social challenges prevailing in Albania. To open the EU accession process as soon as possible can serve as a path-maker for the new government and the urgently needed reforms in Albania.

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