The Old Rivalry — A New Alliance Behind Closed Doors
Since the fall of communism in 1990, Partia Demokratike (PD) and Partia Socialiste (PS) have dominated Albanian politics. Officially opponents, these two parties have nonetheless maintained a de facto duopoly over power — alternating governance, sharing influence, and jointly shaping the trajectory of the state. Over the years this “alternating rule” has often been criticized as a mechanism that preserves the status quo, prevents meaningful reform, and shields entrenched interests.
In recent days, this dynamic has been exposed again: PD and PS are reportedly engaged in secret negotiations over the selection of the new Avokati i Popullit (Ombudsman). Rather than allowing open competition or transparent selection, both parties seem committed to decide together — behind closed doors — who will control yet another crucial institution.
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| Ombudsperson's office in Tirana, Albania, November 2025 |
The Hidden Deal for the Ombudsperson: Who Actually Decides?
According to recent media reports:
- PD and PS have been in “negotiations” over the last two days to overcome the impasse in appointing the new Ombudsperson.
- PS reportedly allowed PD deputies to sign in favor of more than one candidate from a long list of 28 proposals — effectively loosening earlier restrictions.
- As a result, several candidates collected the required minimum number of signatures to enter the voting process. Among them: Aranita Brahaj, Jola Hysaj, Besim Ndregjoni, Adriana Kalaja, Tartar Bazaj, Skender Haluca and Endrit Shabani.
- The catch: even though PD collected signatures, they later withdrew them — claiming that the procedure wasn’t properly regulated.
- As a result, the process may need to restart from scratch.
In short: what should have been a transparent appointment for a high-profile institution turned into a secret negotiation — where both “rival” parties coordinate to decide who gets the job.
Why This Matters — And Why It Reinforces Stagnation
🔹 Concentration of Power Rather Than Checks and Balances
The office of the Ombudsperson in Albania was created to protect citizens’ rights, oversee state institutions, and act as a watchdog. Instead of granting that independence, the main political parties are manipulating the appointment for their own ends. This undermines the credibility of the institution and weakens the potential for real oversight.
🔹 The Cycle of Political Monopoly Persists
When the two biggest parties control virtually all levers of power — including oversight institutions — real competition, accountability, and reform become nearly impossible. The result is a system that perpetuates itself, resists transparency and resists change. Critics argue that this is one of the main reasons why Albania remains among the least developed and most corrupt countries in Europe.
🔹 Formal Opposition — Substantive Collusion
On paper, PD and PS are opponents. In practice, they cooperate when convenient — ensuring that the same elite keeps rotating institutions among themselves. For citizens, this means little real choice, and weak prospects for meaningful change.
Recent Events — The 2025 Ombudsperson Standoff
- On December 2–3, 2025, after months of deadlock, PD and PS reportedly began secret negotiations.
- PS allowed PD deputies to sign for multiple candidates — a major concession that reopened the electoral process.
- Several candidates collected the minimum signatures.
- Immediately after, PD withdrew those signatures — citing procedural irregularities.
- Now, the process is likely to be reset — meaning the standoff continues, and the appointment remains uncertain.
- This entire saga offers a stark illustration of how PD and PS can publicly clash — yet still cooperate behind the scenes when it suits their shared interests.
What Albanian Citizens Should Know — And Demand
- True independence of oversight institutions matters. For offices like the Ombudsperson to function, they must be free from political bargaining.
- Transparency in appointments is non-negotiable. Selection procedures should be open, public, and based on merit — not deals between political elites.
- Political monopoly undermines development and fosters corruption. Until power is decentralized and meaningful alternatives to the duopoly exist, Albania risks remaining stuck in a cycle of stagnation.
- Civic pressure and awareness are essential. Public vigilance, media scrutiny, and civil society engagement can help challenge back-room politics.
In Conclusion — The Same Old Game, Different Era
The recent manoeuvres between PD and PS over the appointment of the Avokati i Popullit reveal a deeper truth: despite decades of change, the core political game in Albania remains the same. Two parties, alternating power, but often cooperating behind the scenes — extracting benefits, controlling institutions, protecting common interests.
For many Albanians, this theatre of cooperation means little hope for real reform, justice, or progress. Unless there is a genuine shift toward transparency, accountability, and real political pluralism — the cycle will repeat itself.