Freedom Party of Albania

Freedom Party of Albania
Partia e Lirisë së Shqipërisë
AbbreviationPL
PresidentIlir Meta[1]
Parliamentary group leaderTedi Blushi[2]
General SecretaryTedi Blushi[3]
FounderIlir Meta[4]
Founded6 September 2004 (2004-09-06)[4][5]
Split fromSocialist Party of Albania[4][6]
HeadquartersSami Frashëri, Godina 20/10, Tirana
NewspaperIntegrimi
Ideology
Political positionCentre[9]
National affiliationBashkë Fitojmë (2023)
Alliance for a Greater Albania (2025)
Colours      Red, black and white
Parliament
4 / 140
Municipalities
1 / 61
Website
partiaelirise.al

The Freedom Party of Albania (Albanian: Partia e Lirisë së Shqipërisë, PL), commonly known as the Freedom Party (Albanian: Partia e Lirisë), is a social-democratic and pro-European political party in Albania.[7][4] It was founded on 6 September 2004 by former prime minister Ilir Meta as the Socialist Movement for Integration (Albanian: Lëvizja Socialiste për Integrim, LSI), after Meta split from the Socialist Party of Albania (PS).[10][5][11]

The party became one of Albania's most important smaller parties and frequently played a kingmaker role in coalition politics. After the 2009 Albanian parliamentary election, LSI joined the centre-right Democratic Party of Albania (PD) government of Sali Berisha, allowing Berisha to remain in power.[5][12] Before the 2013 Albanian parliamentary election, it left the Democratic Party-led government and joined the Socialist-led Alliance for a European Albania, contributing to the defeat of Berisha's government and the formation of the first government of Edi Rama.[13][14]

LSI was renamed the Freedom Party at a National Convention on 25 July 2022, one day after Meta completed his term as President of Albania and returned to active party politics.[15][16] Since 2022, the party has been part of the anti-government opposition and has cooperated closely with the Berisha-led wing of the Democratic Party, including in the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition for the 2023 Albanian local elections and the Alliance for a Greater Albania in the 2025 Albanian parliamentary election.[17][18]

In October 2024, Meta was arrested on corruption, money laundering and asset-concealment allegations brought by Albania's Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime (SPAK). The party continued to recognise him as president and described his detention as political persecution.[19][1] Meta has denied wrongdoing.[20]

History

Foundation and early organisation

The party was founded on 6 September 2004 by Ilir Meta, a former Socialist prime minister who had been in conflict with the leadership of the Socialist Party, especially with Fatos Nano.[10][5] Meta presented the new party as a pro-European and reformist force that would help unblock Albania's European integration process.[21]

Through the use of the word "movement", the party attempted to give the message that it was open and inclusive. The party also used the term to differentiate itself from Albania's established parties.[22] In March 2005, it became the first Albanian political party to elect its leader through a one member, one vote system, with Meta elected as party chairman.[22]

The party's early political identity combined social-democratic rhetoric, a strong focus on European integration and criticism of the two-party dominance of the Socialist Party and Democratic Party.[4][8] It attracted support among younger voters in the 2005 Albanian parliamentary election.[23]

2005 parliamentary election

In the 2005 Albanian parliamentary election, LSI contested its first national election and won five seats in the Parliament of Albania with 8.4% of the vote.[6] The result established the party as a parliamentary force, although it remained outside government after the Democratic Party-led coalition came to power.

The party's performance in 2005 was significant because it demonstrated that Meta's split from the Socialist Party had created a durable third force within Albania's otherwise polarised party system. However, its parliamentary strength was still limited compared with the two main parties.

2009 election and coalition with the Democratic Party

At the 2009 Albanian parliamentary election, LSI won four seats with 4.8% of the vote.[5] The result gave the party a decisive role in government formation, because neither the Democratic Party-led alliance nor the Socialist Party-led alliance had enough seats to govern alone.[24]

In June 2009, LSI agreed to form a coalition government with the centre-right Democratic Party of Prime Minister Sali Berisha.[5][12] The decision was controversial because LSI had originated from the Socialist Party and had previously been positioned within the centre-left opposition. Meta justified the move as necessary for political stability and Albania's European integration.

The coalition gave LSI several important government positions. Meta became Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Berisha government, while LSI also controlled other ministries.[25] Albania achieved visa liberalisation with the Schengen Area in 2010 during this period.[26]

2011 corruption scandal and political crisis

In January 2011, Meta resigned from government after the investigative programme Fiks Fare broadcast a hidden-camera video that allegedly showed him discussing political favours related to a hydropower concession and an oil auction with then-economy minister Dritan Prifti.[27][28] Meta denied wrongdoing, and the case later ended with his acquittal after a dispute over the authenticity and admissibility of the video evidence.[29]

The scandal contributed to the broader 2009–2013 Albanian political crisis. On 21 January 2011, an opposition protest in Tirana turned violent and four demonstrators were shot dead outside the prime minister's office.[30]

Switch to the Socialist-led coalition and 2013 election

In April 2013, LSI left Berisha's Democratic Party-led government and joined the Socialist Party-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2013 Albanian parliamentary election. The decision forced a government reshuffle and marked a major realignment in Albanian politics.[13]

The Socialist-led Alliance for a European Albania won the 2013 election. LSI increased its vote share to 10.46% and won 16 seats, becoming a key partner in the new government led by Edi Rama.[6][14] The Centre for Eastern Studies reported that the coalition dominated by the Socialist Party and LSI won 57.7% of the vote and 84 of 140 parliamentary seats.[14]

After the election, Meta was elected Speaker of the Parliament of Albania on 10 September 2013.[31] LSI participated in the Rama I Government, holding ministerial posts while maintaining its separate party identity.

2017 election and leadership transition

Before the 2017 Albanian parliamentary election, Meta was elected President of Albania by parliament on 28 April 2017.[32] He left active party leadership, and Petrit Vasili became party leader. Vasili resigned after the election, and Monika Kryemadhi, Meta's wife, was elected as party chair.[33]

The party won 19 seats in the 2017 election, its highest parliamentary representation, while the Socialist Party won an outright majority and governed alone.[34] LSI therefore moved into opposition. The 2017 election also marked the end of the PS–LSI governing alliance that had existed since 2013.

Although Kryemadhi was the spouse of President Meta, she refused the honorific role of First Lady of Albania, saying she would remain active in opposition politics; the ceremonial role was instead performed by their daughter.[35]

2019–2021 opposition period and electoral decline

During the 2017–2021 legislature, LSI was part of the opposition against Rama's Socialist government. The party joined the Democratic Party-led opposition in accusing the government of electoral manipulation, corruption and abuse of state resources. In 2019, the opposition boycotted the local elections, while President Meta attempted to cancel the vote by decree; the government rejected the decree and the elections went ahead.[36]

At the 2021 Albanian parliamentary election, LSI suffered a major defeat. It won 107,521 votes, or 6.81%, and was reduced from 19 seats to 4 seats.[37] Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung described LSI as the "big loser" of the 2021 election, noting that it lost 15 parliamentary seats compared with 2017.[37]

Rebranding as the Freedom Party

On 25 July 2022, one day after Meta completed his presidential term, the party held a National Convention in Tirana. The convention approved changes to the party's name, logo, symbols and statute, renaming the Socialist Movement for Integration as the Freedom Party.[15][16] Meta returned as party leader, while Kryemadhi resigned from the leadership.[15]

The rebrand marked a political shift away from the party's former leftist label. Tirana Times reported that Meta's convention speech used nationalist themes and rhetoric associated with the European right wing, while also accusing Rama's government of endangering Albanian sovereignty and political pluralism.[15] Meta said the party would campaign for stronger referendum mechanisms and against what he described as the concentration of power by the Socialist government.[15]

The rebrand also followed a period of decline for the former LSI. After its 2021 electoral defeat, the party sought to reposition itself as a broader anti-government force and to rebuild relations with the Democratic Party opposition, especially with the faction led by Sali Berisha.[38]

Cooperation with Sali Berisha and the 2023 local elections

In October 2022, the Freedom Party and the Berisha-led wing of the Democratic Party announced cooperation for the 2023 Albanian local elections.[17] The cooperation later took the form of the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition, which brought together Berisha's supporters, the Freedom Party and several smaller parties.

In the 2023 local elections, the Socialist Party won most municipalities. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung reported that the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition of Berisha and Meta won seven municipalities, while the official Democratic Party led by Enkelejd Alibeaj won none.[39] The OSCE/ODIHR final report described the elections as generally well-administered and competitive, but noted continued political polarisation, deep division within the opposition, allegations of vote-buying, pressure on voters and misuse of state resources.[40]

Meta's arrest and 2025 parliamentary election

On 21 October 2024, Meta was arrested by Albanian police after a SPAK investigation into suspected corruption, money laundering and concealment of wealth. Reuters reported that Meta was detained while returning to Tirana from Kosovo and that his lawyer described the case as politically motivated.[19] The Freedom Party denounced the arrest and said it would continue political activity under Meta's leadership.[1]

In May 2025, AP reported that Meta had been formally charged with corruption, money laundering, tax evasion and hiding property. His former wife Monika Kryemadhi was also charged. Meta denied wrongdoing and accused SPAK of acting as an "anti-opposition task force" for Rama.[20]

Despite Meta's detention, the Freedom Party registered for the 2025 Albanian parliamentary election. General Secretary Tedi Blushi said the party had been registered at Meta's request.[41] The party's candidates ran within the Alliance for a Greater Albania, led by the Democratic Party and Sali Berisha. IPU Parline reported that the Alliance for a Greater Albania won 50 seats in the 140-member parliament, while the Socialist Party won 83 seats.[18] Albanian media reported that the Freedom Party was represented by four MPs within the new legislature: Tedi Blushi, Edmond Haxhinasto, Brunilda Haxhiu and Erisa Xhixho.[2][42]

Ideology and political positions

The party was founded as a social-democratic and pro-European force.[4][7] Its original name, Socialist Movement for Integration, reflected its declared commitment to Albania's integration into the European Union and its roots in the centre-left political tradition.[10][8]

Under the LSI name, the party often presented itself as a pragmatic reformist party rather than a strictly ideological organisation. Its coalition choices reflected this pragmatism: it governed with the centre-right Democratic Party after 2009 and with the centre-left Socialist Party after 2013.[12][14]

After the 2022 rebrand, the party increasingly emphasised themes of sovereignty, anti-corruption, direct democracy, opposition to alleged oligarchic control and criticism of the Rama government. Tirana Times reported that Meta's 2022 speech at the party convention contained nationalist themes and marked a departure from the party's previous leftist label.[15] The party continued to present itself as pro-European and supportive of Albania's EU integration, while also criticising the government over depopulation, corruption and alleged authoritarianism.[15]

Leadership

Ilir Meta founded the party in 2004 and served as its leader until 2017, when he left party office after being elected President of Albania. Petrit Vasili briefly served as leader in 2017, before resigning after the parliamentary election. Monika Kryemadhi was then elected party leader and led the party through the 2017–2021 opposition period and the 2021 election defeat.[43]

Meta returned to party leadership on 25 July 2022, when the Socialist Movement for Integration was renamed the Freedom Party.[15][16] Following his arrest in 2024, the party's political leadership stated that it would continue activity under his leadership regardless of his legal situation.[1]

# Leader Born Term start Term end Time in office
1 Ilir Meta 1969 6 September 2004 5 May 2017 12 years, 241 days
2 Petrit Vasili 1958 5 May 2017 5 July 2017 61 days
3 Monika Kryemadhi 1974 5 July 2017 25 July 2022 5 years, 20 days
(1) Ilir Meta 1969 25 July 2022 present 4 years, 33 days

Electoral results

Parliamentary elections

Election Leader Votes % Seats +/– Rank Government
2005 Ilir Meta 112,449 8.24
5 / 140
 New 5th Opposition
2009 Ilir Meta 73,678 4.85
4 / 140
 Decrease 1 Increase 3rd Coalition[a]
2013 Ilir Meta 180,470 10.46
16 / 140
 Increase 12 Steady 3rd Coalition
2017 Petrit Vasili 225,901 14.28
19 / 140
 Increase 3 Steady 3rd Opposition
2021 Monika Kryemadhi 107,521 6.81
4 / 140
 Decrease 15 Steady 3rd Opposition
2025 Ilir Meta Part of ASHM
4 / 140
 Steady 0 3rd[b] Opposition

Local elections

In the 2023 Albanian local elections, the party contested as part of the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition with the Berisha-led opposition. The coalition won seven municipalities, while the Socialist Party won most mayoral races nationwide.[39] The OSCE/ODIHR described the elections as generally well-administered and competitive, but affected by continued polarisation, opposition divisions and concerns over misuse of state resources and vote-buying allegations.[40]

Notes

  1. ↑ Left the Berisha II Government in April 2013.
  2. ↑ The party's candidates ran within the Democratic Party-led Alliance for a Greater Albania; the alliance won 50 seats overall.[18] Albanian media reported that four MPs represented the Freedom Party within the new parliament.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Statement of the Freedom Party Leadership". Freedom Party of Albania. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2026. The Political Leadership of the Freedom Party, expressing full solidarity with the politically imprisoned President, Mr. Ilir Meta, continues its political activities under his leadership, regardless of his legal situation.
  2. 1 2 3 "Partia e Lirisë formon grup parlamentar në Kuvend, Berisha i jep Metës 3 deputete të PD. Emrat". BalkanWeb (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Kryesia". Freedom Party of Albania (in Albanian). Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "European Election Watch Albania". Center for Strategic and International Studies. Archived from the original on 4 January 2022. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Robert Elsie (2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 422. ISBN 978-0-8108-6188-6.
  6. 1 2 3 Tom Lansford (8 April 2014). Political Handbook of the World 2014. SAGE Publications. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-4833-3327-4.
  7. 1 2 3 Nordsieck, Wolfram (2017). "Albania". Parties and Elections in Europe. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 "The Albanian Electoral Systems since 1990" (PDF). Albanian Elections Observatory Brief (1). 19 April 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  9. ↑ "Albania". Europe Elects. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 Michaela Salamun; Zaim Hallunaj. "European integration, party governance and electoral system in Albania" (PDF). Center for Southeast Europe. Archived from the original (Working Paper) on 14 November 2022. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "Leftist Parties of Albania". Broad Left. Archived from the original on 22 July 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  12. 1 2 3 Marc Stegherr; Kerstin Liesem (13 August 2010). Die Medien in Osteuropa: Mediensysteme im Transformationsprozess. Springer-Verlag. p. 159. ISBN 978-3-531-92487-8.
  13. 1 2 "Reshuffle Due in Albania After Party Quits Govt". Balkan Insight. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "The centre-left government in Albania – a new beginning?". Centre for Eastern Studies. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Meta's SMI signals major shift with Freedom Party rebrand". Tirana Times. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  16. 1 2 3 "Albania's Retired President Returns to Active Party Politics". Balkan Insight. 25 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  17. 1 2 "Albania Opposition Parties Join Forces for 2023 Local Elections". Balkan Insight. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  18. 1 2 3 "Albania Parliament May 2025 Election". IPU Parline. Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  19. 1 2 "Albanian ex-president Meta held on corruption charges". Reuters. 21 October 2024. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  20. 1 2 Semini, Llazar (27 May 2025). "Albanian ex-President Ilir Meta charged with corruption and money laundering". Associated Press. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "President Reveals Why He Left Socialist Party in 2004". Albanian Daily News. 15 April 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  22. 1 2 Blendi Kajsiu (2005). F. Stiftung; G. Karasimeonov (eds.). Organizational Structures and Internal Party Democracy in South Eastern Europe (PDF). Sofia: Gorex Press. pp. 142–165. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  23. ↑ Jano, Dorian (2008). "On Parties and Party System in Albania: What implications for democracy" (PDF). Central-European Intensive Course. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  24. ↑ "Election campaign with the taste of blood". International Institute for Middle-East and Balkan Studies. 24 June 2009. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  25. ↑ "Qeveria e dytë e Sali Berishës (16 shtator 2009 – 10 shtator 2013)". ShtetiWeb (in Albanian). 10 February 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Visa Liberalisation enters into force in December 2010". European External Action Service. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  27. ↑ "Albania Hit by Video Corruption Scandal". Balkan Insight. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  28. ↑ Koleka, Benet (14 January 2011). "Albanian deputy PM quits amid corruption allegations". Reuters. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Meta and Prifti corruption scandal (disputed videotape evidence)". Transparency International. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  30. ↑ "The political crisis in Albania is growing". Centre for Eastern Studies. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "Ilir Meta zgjidhet në krye të Kuvendit me 91 vota: Të lëmë pas frymën konfliktuale, të punojmë për integrimin". Sot.com.al (in Albanian). 10 September 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  32. ↑ "Albanian split deepens as Socialists force through election of president". Reuters. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  33. ↑ "Dorëhiqet Vasili: Kryemadhi kandidate për kryetare të LSI". Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  34. ↑ "Albania Parliament June 2017 Election". IPU Parline. Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  35. ↑ "Ilir Meta betohet si president i Shqipërisë". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Albanian). 24 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  36. ↑ "Albanian president cancels vote; PM wants him gone". Reuters. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  37. 1 2 Rüttershoff, Tobias (April 2021). Albania Has Voted (Report). Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Likmeta, Besar (27 July 2022). "Albanian Ex-President Meta's Comeback Greeted with Scepticism". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  39. 1 2 "Local elections in Albania". Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  40. 1 2 "Albania's 2023 local elections: ODIHR election observation mission final report". OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  41. ↑ "Meta's Party Registered for the Upcoming Elections". Albanian Daily News. 20 February 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  42. ↑ "Blushi: Ilir Meta's voice will resound louder than ever in the new Parliament". Politiko. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
  43. ↑ "Dorëhiqet Vasili: Kryemadhi kandidate për kryetare të LSI". Shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2017.


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