The International Democratic Union (IDU), consisting of 84 organizations from 65 countries of the world, has unanimously approved the resolution submitted by the Democratic Party of Albania at the meeting held this Friday, December 6, 2024. The main members of the IDU are the American Republican Party and the British Conservatives.
The IDU’s demands for Albania include an end to political persecution against opposition leaders, ensuring a fair and open environment for campaigning without fear of political persecution.
The IDU demands the preservation of the rule of law and institutional integrity as cornerstones of a democratic society, as well as an impartial judicial system, free from political interference. Also, the need for intensifying the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering is emphasized, ensuring that these actions are impartial and do not target the opposition.
The IDU also called for free and fair elections, ensuring the independence of the public administration from the ruling party, and supports the creation of a caretaker government, modeled after the example of North Macedonia, to guarantee free and fair elections.
The IDU has reconfirmed its support for Albania’s membership in the European Union and will support Albania’s democratic and European aspirations, monitoring developments in the country.
Below you can read the resolution presented by the Democratic Party:
WHEREAS, IDU strongly supports the rule of law and institutional integrity as cornerstones of democracy. In Albania, 12 years of socialist government have concentrated power in one person, reducing elections to a facade. Opposition leaders, MPs and local officials face political persecution, imprisonment and threats, mirroring authoritarian regimes such as Belarus and Tunisia.
WHEREAS, despite OSCE/ODIHR recommendations, the socialist majority under Prime Minister Rama has failed to address electoral abuses and has unilaterally changed the constitution to weaken the opposition. As the 2025 elections approach, political persecution is de-escalating, accompanied by politically motivated trials, arrests and imprisonment of opposition leaders such as Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha, Ilir Meta, Fatmir Mediu, Ervin Salianji and Fredi Beleri.
The decision of the Special Court on November 27, 2024 to cancel the arrest of Mr. Berisha came after the European Court of Human Rights questioned the parties about the violations in his case, revealing a judicial system compromised by socialist influence that has become a tool for suppressing the opposition and manipulating elections. The Venice Commission’s warnings about the seizure of justice reform by the ruling party have materialized under Rama’s leadership, threatening Albania’s democratic stability.
IDU requirements:
Stop political persecution against opposition leaders, ensuring a fair and open environment for all political actors to campaign without any political persecution;
Maintaining the rule of law and institutional integrity as cornerstones of a democratic society;
An impartial judicial system, free from political interference;
Intensifying the fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering, ensuring that actions remain impartial and do not target the opposition;
Free and fair elections, guaranteeing the independence of the public administration from the ruling party;
Establishing a caretaker government, modeled after North Macedonia, to ensure free and fair elections.
IDU reaffirms support for Albania’s EU membership, free elections and the critical role of the opposition in restoring democracy. IDU will closely monitor developments and support Albania’s democratic and European aspirations.
