# 2015 Albanian local elections

Local elections were held in Albania on 21 June 2015. Voters elected mayors, municipal council members, municipal unit mayors and municipal unit members. The Central Election Commission of Albania was responsible for administrating the elections. This provided that the community type of komuna was abolished and at the same time the total number of communities were reduced from 373 to 61 Bashkia. Those entitled to vote elected the executive and legislative representatives of their communities, the 61 mayors (and on the other hand the total of 1595 municipal councils.

## Background

Following the elections in 2011. The Democrats won in many rural areas as well as Tirana by 81 votes. At the time, Edi Rama was the longest Serving Mayor of Tirana serving 11 years. Lulzim Basha in 2015 announced he would not seek reelection for mayor of Tirana. Prior to the election, Lulzim Basha announced that Halim Kosova would be elected to run as Mayor of Tirana for the Democratic Party of Albania. Minister of Social Welfare and Youth at the time, Erion Veliaj, had announced he would run to become Mayor of Tirana.

## Parties and Coalitions

Following Sali Berisha's Resignation during the election loss in 2013. Lulzim Basha was elected leader of the Democratic Party of Albania. Basha would become the leader of the opposition up until 2021 when Berisha and Basha began disputing over the party leadership. Basha would announce in 2015 that he would not seek a second term as mayor of Tirana. There would be two alliances as usual in previous elections Local and Parliamentary. The Alliance for a European Albania (ASHE) led by Prime Minister Edi Rama and the People's Alliance for Work and Dignity (APPD) led by Opposition leader Lulzim Basha.
| Party | Coalition |
| Socialist Party of Albania | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Socialist Movement for Integration | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party for Justice, Integration and Unity | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Aleanca Arbnore Kombëtare | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Democratic Alliance | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Macedonian Alliance for European Integration | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Alliance for Equality and European Justice | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Alliance for Democracy and Solidarity | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Future party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party of the New European Democracy | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Questions Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Muslim Association Democratic Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Green Party of Albania | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Christian Democratic Alliance | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Workers Movement Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party of Democratic Reforms of Albania | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party to the Denied Rights | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party Power of Youth | Alliance for a European Albania |
| National Unity Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| G99 | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Communist Party of Albania | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Communist Party of Albania 8 November | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Democratic Movement for Change | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Justice Movement | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Law and Justice Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party for the Europeanization and Integration of Albania | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party for the Defence of the Rights of the Emigrants | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party for People with Disabilities | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Party Path of Freedom | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Homeland Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Moderate Socialist Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Real Socialist Party '91 | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian Social Workers Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| New Democratic Spirit | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Social Democracy Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Demochristian Party of Albania | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Albanian National Reconciliation Party | Alliance for a European Albania |
| Ethnic Greek Minority for the future | – |
| Left Front Party | – |
| Party for the Protection of Labor Rights of Albania | – |
| Christian Democratic Party of Albania | – |
| Democratic Movement for Values, Welfare and Progress | – |
| Unity for Human Rights Party | – |
| People's Alliance | – |
| Social Democratic Party of Albania | – |
| National Alliance Party | – |
| National Democratic Albanian Alliance | – |
| European Ecological Association | – |
| Democratic Party of Albania | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Republican Party of Albania | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Environmentalist Agrarian Party | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Legality Movement Party | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Albanian National Front Party | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Liberal Democratic Union | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Movement for National Development | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Democratic National Front Party | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Party Time of Albania | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Albanian Conservative Party | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Christian Democratic People's Party of Albania | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Albanian Christian Democratic League | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |
| Liberal Right Party | People's Alliance for Work and Dignity |

## Results

The Alliance for a European Albania would win without any trouble in most areas in Albania. Winning Tirana by large Margin and Erion Veliaj officially becoming Mayor of Tirana. This would be Lulzim Basha's first time being the leader of the opposition of Albania other than Sali Berisha. Basha's People's Alliance for Work and Dignity was only able to win 13/61 municipalities. It was considered a humiliating loss for the Democratic Party of Albania and its alliance. ASHE won 45 municipalities, including the larger cities, especially in the south of the country, such as Durrës, Elbasan, Vlora, Korça, Gjirokastra, Fier and Sarande. In non-coalition parties, the Ethnic Greek Minority for the future (MEGA) in Finiq the choice. ASHE was seen as the winner of the local elections. The mayors who won as well votes are as shown below:
| County | City | Mayor | Party | Alliance |
| Berat | Berat | Petrit Sinaj | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Berat | Kuçova | Selfo Kapllani | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Berat | Poliçan | Adriatik Zotkaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Berat | Skrapar | Nesim Spahiu | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Berat | Ura Vajgurore | Juliana Memaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Dibër | Bulqizë | Melaim Damzi | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Dibër | Dibër | Shukri Xhelili | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Dibër | Klos | Basir Çupa | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Dibër | Mat | Nezir Rizvani | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Durrës | Durrës | Vangjush Dako | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Durrës | Krujë | Artur Bushi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Durrës | Shijak | Ardian Kokomani | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Belsh | Arif Tafani | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Cërrik | Altin Toska | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Elbasan | Qazim Sejdini | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Gramsh | Luljeta Dollani | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Librazhd | Kastriot Gurra | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Peqin | Saimir Hasalla | Party for Justice, Integration and Unity | ASHE |
| Elbasan | Përrenjas | Miranda Rira | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Fier | Divjakë | Fredi Kokoneshi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Fier | Fier | Armando Subashi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Fier | Lushnjë | Fatos Tushe | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Fier | Mallakastër | Agron Kapllanaj | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Fier | Patos | Rajmonda Balilaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Fier | Roskovec | Majlinda Bufi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Gjirokastër | Dropull | Ahilea Deçka | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Gjirokastër | Gjirokastër | Zamira Rami | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Gjirokastër | Këlcyra | Klement Ndoni | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Gjirokastër | Libohovë | Luiza Mandi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Gjirokastër | Memaliaj | Durim Roshi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Gjirokastër | Përmet | Niko Shupuli | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Gjirokastër | Tepelena | Tërmet Peçi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Korçë | Devoll | Bledjon Nallbati | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Korçë | Kolonja | Arben Malo | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Korçë | Korça | Sotiraq Filo | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Korçë | Maliq | Gëzim Topçiu | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Korçë | Pogradec | Eduart Kapri | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Korçë | Pustec | Edmond Themelko | Macedonian Alliance for European Integration | ASHE |
| Kukës | Has | Adem Lala | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Kukës | Kukës | Bashkim Shehu | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Kukës | Tropojë | Besnik Dushaj | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Lezhë | Kurbin | Artur Bardhi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Lezhë | Lezhë | Fran Frrokaj | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Lezhë | Mirditë | Ndrec Dedaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Shkodër | Fushë-Arrëz | Fran Tuci | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Shkodër | Malësia e Madhe | Tonin Marinaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Shkodër | Pukë | Gjon Gjonaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Shkodër | Shkodër | Voltana Ademi | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Shkodër | Vau i Dejës | Zef Hila | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Tirana | Kamëz | Xhelal Mziu | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Tirana | Kavajë | Elvis Roshi | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Tirana | Rrogozhinë | Beqir Nuredini | Party for Justice, Integration and Unity | ASHE |
| Tirana | Tirana | Erion Veliaj | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Tirana | Vorë | Fiqiri Ismaili | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Vlorë | Delvinë | Rigels Balili | Socialist Movement for Integration | ASHE |
| Vlorë | Finiq | Leonidha Hristo | Ethnic Greek Minority for the future | – |
| Vlorë | Himarë | Jorgo Goro | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Vlorë | Konispol | Shuaip Beqiri | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Vlorë | Sarandë | Florjana Koka | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Vlorë | Selenicë | Përparim Shametaj | Democratic Party of Albania | APPD |
| Vlorë | Vlorë | Dritan Leli | Socialist Party of Albania | ASHE |
| Source: CEC |||||
Total Votes :
| Alliance | Leader | Votes | Percentage of Votes |
| Alliance for a European Albania (ASHE) | Edi Rama | 991,609 | 63,48% |
| People's Alliance for Work and Dignity (APPD) | Lulzim Basha | 507,285 | 32,47% |
| Social Democratic Party of Albania | Skënder Gjinushi | 22,320 | 1,43% |
| Unity for Human Rights Party | Vangjel Dule | 14,771 | 0,95% |
| Christian Democratic Party of Albania | Dhimiter Muslia | 9,424 | 0,60% |
| Ethnic Greek Minority for the future | Leonidha Hristo | 3,144 | 0,20% |
| Democratic Movement for Values, Welfare and Progress | Arben Tafaj | 1,942 | 0,12% |
| European Ecological Alliance | Sazan Guri | 1.938 | 0,12% |
| People's Alliance | Fatjon Softa | 1,712 | 0,11% |
| Left Front Party | Marko Dajti | 717 | 0,05 |

## Council seat election results

ASHE alliance held the majority in many Municipal councils as shown:
| County | City | Council Seats | APPD (Democratic Party) | Seats ASHE (Socialist Party/Socialist Movement for Integration) | Seats of other parties and independent candidates | Party with the highest percentage of votes |
| Berat | Berat | 31 | 10 (6) | 21 (11/7) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Berat | Kuçova | 31 | 08 (6) | 23 (10/6) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Berat | Poliçan | 15 | 02 (2) | 13 (8/3) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Berat | Skrapar | 15 | 02 (1) | 13 (3/10) | 00 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Berat | Ura Vajgurore | 21 | 06 (4) | 15 (6/5) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Dibër | Bulqizë | 21 | 08 (2) | 13 (3/2) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Dibër | Dibër | 31 | 13 (8) | 17 (8/3) | 01 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Dibër | Klos | 21 | 09 (2) | 12 (2/3) | 00 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Dibër | Mat | 21 | 09 (3) | 12 (3/3) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Durrës | Durrës | 51 | 16 (14) | 35 (16/13) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Durrës | Krujë | 31 | 12 (5) | 19 (5/6) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Durrës | Shijak | 21 | 09 (6) | 12 (7/2) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Elbasan | Belsh | 21 | 08 (2) | 13 (5/4) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Elbasan | Cërrik | 21 | 07 (4) | 14 (5/4) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Elbasan | Elbasan | 51 | 16 (13) | 35 (16/10) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Elbasan | Gramsh | 21 | 05 (1) | 16 (2/2) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Elbasan | Librazhd | 21 | 04 (2) | 17 (5/2) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Elbasan | Peqin | 21 | 05 (3) | 15 (2/4) | 01 | Party for Justice, Integration and Unity |
| Elbasan | Përrenjas | 21 | 06 (2) | 15 (4/2) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Fier | Divjakë | 31 | 10 (6) | 21 (9/6) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Fier | Fier | 41 | 12 (8) | 29 (16/9) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Fier | Lushnjë | 41 | 12 (10) | 29 (14/9) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Fier | Mallakastër | 21 | 07 (2) | 14 (4/3) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Fier | Patos | 21 | 04 (3) | 17 (8/5) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Fier | Roskovec | 21 | 07 (3) | 14 (9/3) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Gjirokastër | Dropull | 21 | 03 (3) | 14 (3/10) | 04 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Gjirokastër | Gjirokastër | 31 | 10 (8) | 21 (9/7) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Gjirokastër | Këlcyra | 15 | 04 (1) | 11 (1/3) | 00 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Gjirokastër | Libohovë | 15 | 06 (4) | 09 (5/3) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Gjirokastër | Memaliaj | 21 | 04 (2) | 16 (5/7) | 01 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Gjirokastër | Përmet | 20 | 05 (1) | 15 (2/4) | 00 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Gjirokastër | Tepelena | 15 | 04 (2) | 11 (5/4) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Korçë | Devoll | 21 | 06 (4) | 15 (4/4) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Korçë | Kolonja | 15 | 04 (4) | 11 (5/3) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Korçë | Korça | 41 | 12 (11) | 29 (17/8) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Korçë | Maliq | 31 | 10 (6) | 21 (9/6) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Korçë | Pogradec | 31 | 10 (5) | 21 (7/5) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Korçë | Pustec | 15 | 03 (1) | 12 (2/2) | 00 | Macedonian Alliance for European Integration |
| Kukës | Has | 21 | 09 (2) | 12 (1/1) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Kukës | Kukës | 31 | 13 (4) | 17 (2/2) | 01 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Kukës | Tropojë | 21 | 09 (4) | 12 (2/2) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Lezhë | Kurbin | 31 | 06 (3) | 25 (7/7) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Lezhë | Lezhë | 41 | 18 (7) | 22 (5/4) | 01 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Lezhë | Mirditë | 21 | 04 (2) | 15 (2/2) | 02 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Shkodër | Fushë-Arrëz | 15 | 05 (1) | 10 (1/2) | 00 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Shkodër | Malësia e Madhe | 31 | 12 (3) | 17 (5/5) | 02 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Shkodër | Pukë | 15 | 03 (1) | 11 (1/3) | 01 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Shkodër | Shkodër | 51 | 27 (21) | 24 (9/10) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Shkodër | Vau i Dejës | 21 | 11 (7) | 10 (3/2) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Tirana | Kamëz | 41 | 19 (12) | 22 (8/9) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Tirana | Kavajë | 31 | 11 (9) | 20 (10/5) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Tirana | Rrogozhinë | 21 | 06 (4) | 15 (5/5) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Tirana | Tirana | 61 | 19 (17) | 42 (25/13) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Tirana | Vorë | 21 | 10 (7) | 11 (3/6) | 00 | Democratic Party of Albania |
| Vlorë | Delvinë | 15 | 04 (2) | 11 (3/4) | 00 | Socialist Movement for Integration |
| Vlorë | Finiq | 21 | 01 (1) | 08 (5/2) | 12 | Ethnic Greek Minority for the future |
| Vlorë | Himarë | 21 | 03 (2) | 14 (8/4) | 04 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Vlorë | Konispol | 15 | 05 (2) | 09 (4/2) | 01 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Vlorë | Sarandë | 31 | 09 (4) | 20 (8/4) | 02 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Vlorë | Selenicë | 21 | 08 (4) | 13 (5/2) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |
| Vlorë | Vlorë | 41 | 12 (9) | 29 (18/5) | 00 | Socialist Party of Albania |