Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha held a press conference on Tuesday where he addressed the outcome of the May 11 elections. He categorically refused to recognize the results, calling them “the most manipulated in the history of pluralism in Albania.”

According to Berisha, vote-buying, the use of patronage networks, criminal group interference, and the involvement of gangs distorted the will of the voters.

He denounced the “violent scenes in Vlora, where Blendi Xhabaj’s gang dictated the will of the citizens,” describing it as just one example of what allegedly occurred in several other municipalities across the country.

Berisha stated that these incidents were part of a broader criminal scheme applied in multiple regions—including Vlora, Fier, Mallakastër, and Elbasan—where criminal gangs directly influenced the election process.

“The May 11 elections were stolen, looted, and violated. Never before have bandits had more representatives in parliament than they do now,” Berisha declared.

He also accused the government of massive vote-buying.

“The May 11 elections were marked by the most massive public vote-buying in the history of elections in Albania. The €100 envelope sent during the campaign and the €200 million debt and fine amnesty from 2015 to 2025 represents the most powerful public vote-buying ever seen in the country.

Tens of thousands of hectares of cannabis were licensed for cultivation. Each cannabis plant, with a profit of €1,000, was calculated as part of a ruthless vote-buying mechanism.

Employment in exchange for votes was also massively applied in these elections.

The criminal system of patronage—stationed near or inside voting centers—acted as a terrorist police force against Albanian voters.”

Berisha further alleged that two senior officials of the State Intelligence Service (SHISH)—both deputy directors—used State Security agent registries in the early weeks of the campaign to support Edi Rama’s re-election, in violation of the law.

“We are documenting electoral crime with great responsibility,” he said.

Berisha reiterated the massive use of employment in exchange for votes and labeled the patronage system a form of voter intimidation.

“Patronage agents surrounding polling stations created an atmosphere of terror for Albanian voters,” Berisha concluded.