In a video message after a campaign rally in the southeastern city of Korca on Monday, the government head urged voters to support his Socialist Party in the May 11 elections, emphasizing that a strong victory is crucial for Albania’s goal of joining the European Union by the end of the party’s fourth term in office.

He called on Korça citizens living and working in Thessaloniki, Athens or elsewhere in Greece to immediately send their ballot papers back to the Central Election Commission and contribute to the country’s EU future.

“It would be regrettable if they won’t contribute and make sure that Albania finally joins the European family. It would be regrettable if they do not contribute to the European passport after having been registered as voters. They should send back the envelopes containing their ballot papers,” Rama stated.

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Addressing a meeting with Albanian migrants in Milan, Italy, Berisha said that 2025 is set to become the year of diaspora and Albanian opposition victory.

“You live in a free country and you know that political rivals are not imprisoned in order to steal parliamentary mandates. You know that roads and schools are not built at prices ten times higher than normal in order to rob your citizens and to make a handful of thieves and powerful people rich,” Berisha stated.

According to him, the international support for Albanian opposition is increasing, underlining that Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Donald Trump’s successful campaign to return to the US presidency, will now lead DP campaign for May 11 elections.

Berisha urged migrants to actively participate and contribute to the political change in Albania, highlighting the importance of voting to topple the current Socialist government.

He pledged that every Albanian wishing to return back home will be entitled to five-year tax exemption and other incentives for them to invest in Albania.

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Addressing a meeting with DP supporters in the Italian city of Parma on Saturday, Berisha said that the diaspora vote was key for Albania’s salvation and transformation.

“The migrants’ vote is not only to save Albania, but also to transform it. Albania today, just like in 1990, needs epoch-making transformations,” Berisha stated in his remarks.

DP leader praised Albanian emigrants in Italy as the bridge of friendship between Albania and Italy.

“The history of friendship between our two countries is both inspiring and unique. It dates back 500 years ago, when Italy first welcomed Arberesh. You have forged friendship between our two countries and you are excellent ambassadors of the Albanian nation in Italy,” he said.

According to Berisha, “enthusiasm in Parma meeting shows that DP is coming back strong.”

“These rallies are immensely important. They are signalling the end of the narco-state in Albania. Your vote is more precious than ever before in history of Albania,” he said.

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Data from the Central Election Commission (CEC) show that a total of 200 475 Albanian expats have been registered as of Friday to cast their ballots in the May 11 elections.

According to CEC, a total of 248 558 applications have been filed with the central election body to date, and 247 617 of them have been reviewed, whereas 85 834 applications have been refused.

CEC reported that out of 248 558 applications, 146 181 are male applicants and 102 407 are female applicants.

The registration process, which kicked off on January 11, will remain open until March 4 and is being conducted via the Electronic Registration Platform (PER).

The diaspora’s participation is expected to be key as Albania heads to the polls to elect a new government and parliament.

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Taking the floor at parliament’s plenary session on Thursday, the main opposition lawmaker said that 3.7 million out of 4.7 million Albanian citizens are on the list of eligible voters.

“Around 79% of citizens on the civil registry are eligible to voters. It is estimated that around 200 000 Albanian citizens are holders of biometric documents of their host countries and they should be allowed to vote. Technically, registering them is fully possible and you should agree on that. All Albanian citizens should have the right to vote,” Bylykbashi stated.

He noted that the request forwarded by the main opposition party aimed at making the diaspora vote effective.

“Prime Minister wouldn’t have waited to extend validity of expired IDs just a week ago if you were really willing to allow the expats vote. You did it intentionally to prevent them from registering. The government’s normative act is incomplete and discriminating,” the DP official said.

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Addressing a meeting with Albanian citizens living and working in Italy, Berisha called on expats to vote for the main opposition party, saying Albania would cease existing if Prime Minister Edi Rama wins a fourth consecutive term in office.

Berisha accused Rama’s government of failing Albanians, promising lower taxes, higher wages, and better pensions if his party wins.

“We face existential threats. Every Albanian should know that a fourth mandate for Edi Rama, who expelled 1.99 million Albanians in the last 10 years, or 45% of the entire population to the EU member states alone, means that Albania would cease existing. Albania would become the land of criminals, gangs and traffickers,” he stated.

Berisha said that “every Albanian patriot should stand up against this prime minister, who is destroying our nation.”

He described left-wing extremism as a threat to Albania, saying that efforts were made to eliminate political opposition in the country.

“They made efforts for an Albania without opposition. However, we knew that Albania would no longer exist without a political opposition. That’s why we didn’t give up,” Berisha stated, voicing confidence that the main opposition will win May 11 general elections.

He pledged zero tax policy for every Albanian expats wishing to return back home, saying they would become shareholders in the country’s transformation and development.

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The registration process, which kicked off on January 11, will remain open until March 4 and is being conducted via the Electronic Registration Platform (PER).

Data from the Central Election Commission (CEC) show that a total of 134 279 applications have been processed as of Monday, and 81 109 requests have been approved.

According to CEC, a total of 46 989 applications have been turned down.

Central election body reported that out of134 279 applications, 80 393 (61.5%) are male applicants and 53 877 (40.1%) are female applicants.

The diaspora’s participation is expected to be key as Albania heads to the polls to elect a new government and parliament.

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The central election body said that the assisting team helps applicants to correctly fill in the application form, adding that personal data are protected by law.

Over 97 000 Albanian emigrants have registered to vote for the first time in the upcoming May 11 parliamentary elections in Albania.

The registration process, which kicked off on January 11, will remain open until March 4 and is being conducted via the Electronic Registration Platform (PER).

Data from the Central Election Commission show that a total of 97 967 applications have been processed as of Wednesday, and 61 848 requests have been approved, while 36 064 applications have been turned down.

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Addressing a meeting with migrant community in Brussels, the DP senior officials said that the upcoming May elections are the great opportunity for change.

He said that the diaspora was the hope for change and the hope for the country to return to normal path towards Europe.

According to Noka, the ruling Socialists have failed to deliver on their campaign pledges and therefore Albanian citizens had left the country in search for a better life.

“You still remember Edi Rama promising 300 000 new jobs back in 2013. Instead, 1.1 million Albanians left the country in search for better life in Brussels, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark Norway, Italy and elsewhere throughout Europe,” Noka claimed.

He said that upcoming parliamentary election is “the process that will decide between two eras; that of corruption and organized crime, and that of development and European integration.”

He urged migrants to vote for DP, saying the main opposition party has tabled best program ever proposed to Albanian voters.

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