Albania’s opposition leader Sali Berisha has accused Prime Minister Edi Rama’s government of engaging in widespread electoral manipulation during the May 11 elections and announced plans to release further evidence on Thursday.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Berisha claimed the ruling Socialist majority used two well-known tactics to rig the vote: the so-called “Bulgarian train” — a method involving vote-buying and ballot circulation — and a scheme he likened to a practice allegedly used in Russia, where ballot papers are distributed in advance and voters arrive at polling stations with them already completed.
“We will reveal even more tomorrow,” Berisha said. “The Democratic Party has documented countless violations. Rama has humiliated the Albanian vote. These are not just tactics — they’re systemic abuse.” He added that “the laptop hasn’t even started talking yet,” suggesting more digital evidence would be released soon.
Berisha, who leads the main opposition Democratic Party, is currently under house arrest pending trial over a separate corruption case but continues to be politically active. The government has not immediately responded to the latest allegations.