Albanian right-wing coalition leader resigns after poor election showing

Dashamir Shehi, leader of a small right-wing coalition, has stepped down following his bloc’s poor results in the May 11 elections, calling for electoral reforms and conceding personal responsibility for the loss.

TIRANA, May 21 (TemA) – Dashamir Shehi, head of a small right-wing coalition, announced his resignation following a poor performance in the country’s May 11 general election.

Speaking at a press conference, Shehi said he accepts full responsibility for the coalition’s failure to secure significant support, having garnered just over 5,500 votes nationwide.

Labeling the election a “farcical contest” between Albania’s dominant Socialist and Democratic parties, Shehi criticized the closed-list voting system and the handling of diaspora ballots. He called for constitutional amendments, a review of the country’s territorial reform, and sweeping changes to the electoral system.

Despite the defeat, he praised the performance of newly formed parties, expressing hope they would foster “greater political synergy” moving forward.