Democratic Party of Albania Proposes Reforms to Separate State Resources From Political Parties

The Democratic Party of Albania presented a comprehensive electoral reform package on Friday, November 14, 2026. The proposal focuses on establishing a clear separation between state resources and the activities of political parties. Developed in collaboration with colleagues from the Electoral Reform Commission, the package seeks to address concerns regarding the use of public assets for partisan gain.

Proposed Interventions and Penalties

The reform package identifies eight key areas for intervention to ensure that the state remains independent from political parties. These areas include public administration, fiscal and social power, budget and procurement, patronage, control and coercive power, citizens' personal data, official activities, and institutional propaganda and media. To enforce these rules, the proposal introduces several punitive measures. Candidates who use the administration or public funds for electoral purposes could face the loss of their mandate. Additionally, officials responsible for such actions could face dismissal from office and significant fines.

The Democratic Party of Albania also proposes that elections should be invalidated if it is proven that the use of state resources influenced the final result, whether in a specific electoral zone or on a nationwide scale. The package includes restrictions on the political exploitation of salary increases, pensions, bonuses, and the distribution of state funds. Furthermore, the proposal calls for a ban on inaugurations and official activities that could favor the party in power. According to the proposal, certain prohibitions and guarantees would be implemented over a 10-year period.

Political Context and Objectives

The Democratic Party of Albania claims that the Socialist Party has turned the state into a machine that undermines the electoral process. These proposals reference findings from an OSCE/ODIHR report regarding the blurring of lines between the state and political parties. Oerd Bylykbashi, Vice President of the Democratic Party, stated, "The separation of state and party must be guaranteed at all times, not just during the electoral period, to prevent the party-state from intimidating elections."

Oerd Bylykbashi, Vice President of the Democratic Party, also noted that the package aims to prevent the use of state assets for political purposes and is linked to EU chapters. The proposed reforms represent a significant effort by the opposition to address systemic issues regarding the use of public administration and official functions for political advantage.

Glossary

• Democratic Party of Albania — The Democratic Party of Albania is a conservative political party in Albania. It is one of the two major parties in Albanian politics and has been the largest opposition party in the country since 2013.
• Socialist Party — The Socialist Party of Albania is a political party that established the Political Academy. It is a political organization in Albania.
• patronage — Patronage refers to a network of activists used to pressure voters and provide benefits for political support. It is a method used to gain political support.
• mandate — A mandate refers to the allocation of electoral representation, such as the number of deputies a specific area elects. It can also refer to the position held by a candidate that can be lost if state resources are used for electoral purposes.
• public administration — Public administration refers to the management of state resources and functions. It is a sector that the electoral reform package seeks to keep independent from political parties.