Socialist Party of Albania

{{Short description|Political party in Albania}} {{Infobox political party | name = Socialist Party of Albania | native_name = Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë | native_name_lang = sq | logo = File:Partia Socialiste.svg | logo_size = 150px | colorcode = {{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}} | abbreviation = PS, PSSh, SP<ref name="CSIS"/> | chairman = Edi Rama<ref name="CSIS">{{cite web |url=https://www.csis.org/programs/european-election-watch/albania |title=European Election Watch Albania |author= |date= |website= |publisher=Center for Strategic and International Studies |access-date=4 January 2022 |quote= |archive-date=4 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220104030128/https://www.csis.org/programs/european-election-watch/albania |url-status=dead }}</ref> | leader1_title = Leader of the Parliamentary Group | leader1_name = Taulant Balla<ref>{{Cite web |title=Taulant Balla kryetar i grupit parlamentar të PS |url=https://www.voxnews.al/politike/taulant-balla-kryetar-i-grupit-parlamentar-te-ps-i99619 |website=VoxNews |date=15 September 2025 |language=sq |access-date=15 September 2025}}</ref> | leader2_title = General Secretary | leader2_name = Blendi Klosi | foundation = 13 June 1991 | predecessor = Party of Labour of Albania | headquarters = Sheshi Austria 4, 1001 Tirana | newspaper = ''Zëri i Popullit'' | youth_wing = Euro-Socialist Youth Forum | membership_year = 2025 | membership = 93,000<ref>{{Cite web | title="Rezultat pozitiv 32 mijë anëtarë të rinj të PS", Rama në Asamblenë e PS: Të miratojmë mbajtjen e Kongresit më 20 Korrik | date=11 June 2024 | url=https://tvklan.al/rezulat-pozitiv-32-mije-anetare-te-rinj-te-ps-rama-ne-asamblene-e-ps-te-miratojme-mbajtjen-e-kongresit-me-20-korrik | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611172401/https://tvklan.al/rezulat-pozitiv-32-mije-anetare-te-rinj-te-ps-rama-ne-asamblene-e-ps-te-miratojme-mbajtjen-e-kongresit-me-20-korrik/ | access-date=2024-12-25 | archive-date=2024-06-11}}</ref> | ideology = Social democracy<br>Progressivism | position = Centre-left | european = Party of European Socialists (associate) | international = Socialist International | colours = {{color box|#E3171B|border=darkgray}} Red and {{color box|#6EB42C|border=darkgray}} green (official){{efn|name=green|Used in the party logo and flag.}}<br />{{color box|{{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}|border=darkgray}} Purple and {{color box|#EA088B|border=darkgray}} magenta (customary){{efn|Used by the party in campaigning and media, and by the Albanian government in parliamentary diagrams.}} | slogan = {{lang|sq|Për Shqipërinë që duam}} {{small|("For the Albania that We Want")}} | seats1_title = National Assembly | seats1 = {{composition bar|83|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} | seats2_title = Municipality | seats2 = {{composition bar|54|61|{{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} | seats3_title = Council Seats | seats3 = {{Composition bar|757|1613|{{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} | website = {{URL|https://ps.al/}} | country = Albania | flag = }}

The '''Socialist Party of Albania''' ({{langx|sq|Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë}}, '''PSSh'''), also known as simply the '''Socialist Party''' ({{langx|sq|Partia Socialiste}}, '''PS'''), is a social-democratic centre-left political party in Albania. It is the successor to the Party of Labour of Albania, which reconstituted itself under its current name on 13 June 1991 after the fall of communism in an effort to adapt to the new political landscape.<ref>Elsie, Robert (2010), ''Historical Dictionary of Albania''. Scarecrow Press. p. 422.</ref> It has been the country’s Governing Party since 2013. The Socialist Party is one of the two major parties in Albanian politics along with the Democratic Party. The PS is an associate of the Party of European Socialists<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pes.eu/partia_socialiste_e_shqip_ris|title=Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë|work=Party of European Socialists|access-date=14 May 2015}}</ref> and a member of the Socialist International.<ref>{{cite web|title=Full list of member parties and organisations |url=https://www.socialistinternational.org/about-us/members/|publisher=Socialist International|access-date=22 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Strategic Partnership with Kosovo |url=https://www.ps.al/programi/partneritet-strategjik-me-kosoven |website=Socialist Party |access-date=19 May 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525220246/https://www.ps.al/programi/partneritet-strategjik-me-kosoven |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name=aeob13>{{cite journal|title=The Albanian Electoral Systems since 1990|journal=Albanian Elections Observatory Brief|date=19 April 2013|issue=1|url=http://www.eliamep.gr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/bn1.pdf|access-date=2 July 2013}}</ref>

== History ==

thumb|left|Party headquarters in Tirana

The Socialist Party of Albania emerged in the aftermath of the fall of communism in Albania that had dominated Albanian politics since the end of World War II. The dissolution of the People's Socialist Republic prompted a reevaluation of political ideologies and a quest for democratic governance, paving the way for the rise of multiple political entities. The roots of the Socialist Party can be traced back to the Party of Labour of Albania under its founder Enver Hoxha, which had been the ruling party for over four decades. Hoxha's successor Ramiz Alia was forced to introduce limited reforms in the late 1980s. On 11 December 1990, Alia announced that the PPSh had given up its monopoly of power. The PPSh won the 1991 Albanian Constitutional Assembly election, the first free elections held in the country in almost 80 years. By this time, it was no longer a Marxist–Leninist party. At an extraordinary congress on 10–13 June 1991, the PPSh reorganized as the PS in an effort to adapt to survive in the new system.<ref>Elsie, pxliii</ref>

Fatos Nano, a man from the intelligentsia, was elected the new chairman.<ref>Nano, Rexhina. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sKYjOgAACAAJ "Te jetosh kohen"], pp. 230.</ref> Nano helped to reform the old Communist party and made it a member of the Socialist International. A faction of the party, led by Ilir Meta, split away from the PS in 2004 and formed the Socialist Movement for Integration (''Lëvizja Socialiste për Integrim'', LSI).<ref>{{Cite book|last=Elsie|first=Robert|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6inIiCF_930C&pg=PA422|title=Historical Dictionary of Albania|date=2010|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=978-0-8108-6188-6|page=422|language=en}}</ref>

On 10 October 2005, Nano resigned as the chairman of the PS after losing the 2005 Albanian parliamentary election, and was succeeded by Edi Rama.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/albanian/news/2005/10/printable/051010_partosh_albania.shtml|title=Fitorja dhe sfidat e Edi Ramës|trans-title=Victory and challenges of Edi Rama|language=Albanian|publisher=BBCAlbanian.com|date=10 October 2005}}</ref> Under Rama's lead, the PS formed the ''Alliance for a European Albania'', which united several political parties. The alliance won the 2013 Albanian parliamentary election, thus returning the Socialists to the government after 8 years.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Violence mars Albania's general election|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2013/6/24/violence-mars-albanias-general-election|access-date=2022-02-10|website=Al Jazeera|language=en}}</ref>

The Socialist Party, now running alone, again won the 2017 election and the 2021 election, winning 74 seats in both of them and is thus currently able to rule Albania alone, although it is externally supported by the Social Democratic Party in parliament.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-04-26|title=Elections in Albania: Preliminary results show PM Rama's party wins|url=https://rs.n1info.com/english/news/elections-in-albania-preliminary-results-show-pm-ramas-party-wins/|access-date=2022-02-10|website=N1|language=sr-RS}}</ref>

== Political positions ==

As a party in Albania,<ref>{{cite web |last=Nordsieck |first=Wolfram |date=April 2021 |title=Albania |url=http://www.parties-and-elections.eu/albania.html |website=Parties and Elections in Europe}}</ref> the Socialist Party of Albania is described as social-democratic<ref name="CSIS" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Slomp |first1=Hans |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=V1uzkNq8xfIC&pg=PA605 |title=Europe, a Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics |publisher=ABC-CLIO |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-313-39181-1 |page=605}}</ref> and centre-left.<ref name=":02">{{cite web |date=2 June 2019 |title=Albania opposition protests again, calls for new election |url=https://www.citynews1130.com/2019/06/02/albania-opposition-protests-again-calls-for-new-election/ |work=CityNews Vancouver |quote=The centre-right Democratic Party-led opposition supporters gathered Sunday at the main government building accusing centre-left Socialist Party Prime Minister Edi Rama of corruption and links to organized crime.}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{cite web |date=3 June 2019 |title=Albania protests: Smoke bombs and firecrackers thrown at police as demonstrations turn violent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/albania-protests-police-smoke-bombs-tear-gas-government-balkan-spring-a8941861.html |work=The Independent |quote=Prime Minister Edi Rama has faced repeated calls to stand down in recent months over claims that his centre-left Socialist Party is corrupt and has links to organised crime.}}</ref><ref name=":22">{{cite web |date=18 July 2019 |title=Will the Presence of Iran's MEK Threaten Albania's Already Shaky Stability? |url=https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/articles/28046/will-the-presence-of-iran-s-mek-threaten-albania-s-already-shaky-stability |work=World Politics Review |quote=Rama’s center-left Socialist Party holds a majority in Parliament, while the opposition is made up of parties to his left and right.}}</ref> In its 2013 party platform, the party has pledged to replace the flat tax with a progressive tax, and also supports universal health care.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ps.al/programi/kujdes-shendetesor-universal|title=KUJDES SHËNDETËSOR UNIVERSAL – Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë|work=Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë|access-date=14 May 2015|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916134223/https://www.ps.al/programi/kujdes-shendetesor-universal|url-status=dead}}</ref> Party leader Edi Rama has indicated that he supports LGBT rights in Albania.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/rama-pret-perfaqesues-te-lgbt-se-bashkejetese-po-martese-ende-jo/|title=Rama pret përfaqësuesit e LGBT: Po bashkëjetesës, por jo martesave|website=www.panorama.com.al|language=sq|access-date=2017-07-28}}</ref> The party is also pro-European, supports the accession of Albania to the European Union,<ref>{{Cite web|title=CILËSI DHE RITËM NË PROCESIN E INTEGRIMIT NË BE|url=https://www.ps.al/programi/cilesi-dhe-ritem-ne-procesin-e-integrimit-ne-be|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.ps.al|language=sq|archive-date=2022-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126160558/https://ps.al/programi/cilesi-dhe-ritem-ne-procesin-e-integrimit-ne-be|url-status=dead}}</ref> NATO membership,<ref>{{Cite web|title=RESPEKTIM I ANGAZHIMEVE NË NATO|url=https://www.ps.al/programi/respektim-i-angazhimeve-ne-nato|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.ps.al|language=sq|archive-date=2022-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126153026/https://ps.al/programi/respektim-i-angazhimeve-ne-nato|url-status=dead}}</ref> and considers Kosovo "Albania's main strategic partner and ally".<ref>{{Cite web|title=PARTNERITET STRATEGJIK ME KOSOVËN|url=https://www.ps.al/programi/partneritet-strategjik-me-kosoven|access-date=2021-06-07|website=www.ps.al|language=sq|archive-date=2022-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525220246/https://www.ps.al/programi/partneritet-strategjik-me-kosoven|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rama has also said that he strives to follow the Third Way approach of former British prime minister Tony Blair.

== Organisation ==

=== Logos ===

The current logo is based on the fist and rose logo in the version created by José María Cruz Novillo for the Spanish Socialist Workers Party in 1977. The PS logo is used without official consent and agreement with PSOE.<ref name="Graffica">{{cite news |title=El Partido Socialista de Albania plagia el logo del PSOE de Cruz Novillo |url=https://graffica.info/el-partido-socialista-de-albania-plagia-el-logo-del-psoe-de-cruz-novillo/ |access-date=19 September 2022 |work=Gràffica |date=30 August 2022 |language=es}}</ref> <gallery> Partia Socialiste.svg|2013–2023 </gallery>

=== Party leaders ===

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |-- !No. !colspan="2"|President !Born–died !Term start !Term end !Time in office |-- !style="background:{{Party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}; color:white;"|1 |Fatos Nano |100x100px |(1952—2025) |13 June 1991 |10 October 2005 |{{ayd|1991|6|13|2005|10|10}} |-- !style="background:{{Party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}; color:white;"|2 |Edi Rama |100x100px |(born 1964) |10 October 2005 |''Incumbent'' |{{ayd|2005|10|10}} |}

== Electoral performance ==

=== Parliamentary elections ===

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:right;" |- !Election !Leader !Votes !% !Seats !+/– !Rank !Government |- !1992 | rowspan="5" |Fatos Nano |433,602 |23.87 |{{composition bar|38|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{decrease}} 131{{efn|name=successor|The Socialist Party is a successor of the former Communist Party.}} |{{decrease}} 2nd{{efn|name=successor}} |{{no2|Opposition}} |- !1996 |335,402 |20.37 |{{composition bar|10|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{decrease}} 28 |{{steady}} 2nd |{{no2|Opposition}} |- !1997 |413,369 |52.75 |{{composition bar|101|155|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{increase}} 97 |{{increase}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority}} |- !2001 |555,272 |42.27 |{{composition bar|73|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{decrease}} 28 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority}} |- !2005 |538,906 |39.44 |{{composition bar|42|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{decrease}} 31 |{{decrease}} 2nd |{{no2|Opposition}} |- !2009 | rowspan="5" |Edi Rama |620,586 |40.85 |{{composition bar|65|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{increase}} 23 |{{increase}} 1st<ref>{{cite web|title=National results of the 2009 parliamentary election (party list)|url=http://shtetiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Rez2009Vendi.pdf|publisher=ShtetiWeb.org}}</ref> |{{no2|Opposition}} |- !2013 |713,407 |41.36 |{{composition bar|65|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{steady}} |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Coalition}} |- !2017 |764,761 |48.19 |{{composition bar|74|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{increase}} 9 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority}} |- !2021 |768,177 |48.68 |{{composition bar|74|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{steady}} |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority}} |- !2025 |856,177 |53.30 |{{composition bar|83|140|hex={{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}}} |{{increase}} 9 |{{steady}} 1st |{{yes2|Majority}} |}

== Notes == {{Notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == *{{Commons category-inline|Socialist Party of Albania}} *{{Official website|ps.al}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Socialist Party Of Albania}} Category:Socialist Party of Albania

Category:1991 establishments in Albania Category:1997 Albanian civil unrest Category:Full member parties of the Socialist International Category:Political parties established in 1991 Category:Pro-European political parties in Albania Category:Social democratic parties in Albania