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Together We Win

Together We Win (: Bashkë Fitojmë) is a center-right political in , formed in March 2023 by the parliamentary group of the led by former and the Freedom Party led by former President , along with several smaller parties, to unite opposition forces against the ruling . The coalition contested the May 2023 local elections, where it won mayoral positions in seven municipalities, including Memaliaj and , but secured only a fraction of the overall vote amid allegations of irregularities favoring the incumbents. Positioned as an alternative to Edi Rama's prolonged , Bashkë Fitojmë emphasizes democratic reforms, measures, and opposition to perceived authoritarian tendencies, though its leaders face personal legal scrutiny—Berisha under for corruption charges since 2021, and Meta convicted in 2024 for corruption—which the coalition attributes to politically motivated prosecutions. Despite internal splits triggered by Berisha's justice ban, the alliance persists as a key player in politics, preparing for the 2025 parliamentary elections while navigating electoral disputes and limited institutional access.

Formation and Early History

Background and precursors

The prolonged dominance of Edi Rama's (), in power since 2013, has been marked by opposition claims of authoritarian consolidation, including alleged capture of the system through political appointments and interference in judicial vetting processes. These developments contributed to Albania's stalled EU accession, with negotiations delayed by persistent rule-of-law deficiencies attributed by critics to governance failures under Rama rather than solely opposition disunity. The 2021 parliamentary elections underscored opposition fragmentation, as the secured 74 seats while a ()-led alliance obtained 59, highlighting the need for unified anti- fronts amid perceptions of electoral irregularities and weakened checks on executive power. Sali Berisha, former leader and , faced U.S. sanctions on May 19, 2021, designating him for alleged involvement in "significant corruption" during his prior tenure, which he has denied as politically motivated. This triggered internal disputes, culminating in a party split where Berisha's faction challenged the leadership of , leading to his effective expulsion and the formation of a re-foundation group; a court later ratified Berisha's December 11, 2021, national assembly as legitimate. The rift exacerbated opposition divisions, prompting Berisha's allies to seek broader coalitions to counter PS hegemony. A precursor alliance, the "," emerged in early 2022 as a test of unified opposition strength, achieving a notable victory in Shkodër's mayoral on March 6, 2022, where candidate Bardh Spahia defeated PS incumbents amid partial local polls across six municipalities. This success demonstrated potential for cross-party collaboration against PS control. Concurrently, , after his presidential term ended on July 24, 2022, rebranded the Socialist Movement for Integration as the Freedom Party (PL) on July 25, 2022, positioning it as an force amid his own legal scrutiny and impeachment proceedings earlier that year for alleged constitutional violations. These shifts laid groundwork for further alliances, driven by shared imperatives to fragment PS dominance through consolidated opposition efforts.

Official establishment and registration

The "Together We Win" coalition, known in Albanian as Bashkë Fitojmë, was formally announced and submitted for registration to Albania's Central (Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve, KQZ) on March 15, 2023, by representatives of Sali Berisha's faction and Ilir Meta's Freedom Party. This step aimed to consolidate opposition forces ahead of the May 14, 2023, local elections, targeting unified center-right support against the Socialist Party's electoral dominance. Due to ongoing internal splits within the , where Enkelejd Alibeaj's leadership challenged the use of the party's official name and siglum, the KQZ initially registered the coalition without fully incorporating Berisha's DP faction branding. Alibeaj filed an , arguing the submission bordered on misuse of party symbols, reflecting the factional that had weakened opposition in prior contests. The coalition adopted the slogan "Ndryshimi në duart e tua" ("Change in your hands"), emphasizing voter agency in countering entrenched power structures. Berisha exercised leadership despite legal restrictions from his house arrest and candidacy ban stemming from charges, while served as the public face to navigate registration hurdles. The immediate objective was to merge fragmented right-leaning votes, addressing empirical patterns of opposition disunity that had enabled supermajorities in previous elections.

Initial organizational setup

The Bashkë Fitojmë coalition established its central operations in shortly after formation in March 2023, utilizing existing party facilities and setting up dedicated coordination offices to manage alliance activities. This infrastructure included digital platforms such as the official website at pd.al/bashkefitojme, which served as a hub for disseminating joint communications and candidate information. The setup addressed the logistical demands of integrating multiple parties, including joint administrative staff for and shared resources to streamline operations across Albania's regions. To counter the vote fragmentation that had plagued opposition efforts in prior contests, the coalition developed coordination mechanisms emphasizing unified candidate lists and pre-election agreements on seat allocations. from the 2021 parliamentary elections demonstrated this risk, where divided opposition votes enabled the Socialist Party to secure 74 of 140 seats with only 48.8% of the vote share, highlighting how splits diluted anti-incumbent support. Bashkë Fitojmë's structure, with Partia e Lirisë as the nominal leading party for registration purposes, facilitated consolidated nominations under a single banner, preventing intra-opposition competition in key municipalities. Initial operational challenges stemmed from legal pressures on prominent figures, including Sali Berisha's placement under on December 30, 2023, for alleged tied to a 2000s privatization deal involving his son-in-law. Coalition participants, including Berisha's supporters, contended these measures constituted politically orchestrated restrictions to impair opposition mobilization, rather than impartial enforcement, given the timing amid preparations for national contests and SPAK's selective targeting of non-ruling figures. Ilir Meta faced analogous vulnerabilities from prior constitutional disputes and ongoing scrutiny, complicating leadership continuity and public appearances. Early public messaging focused on operational critiques of the Socialist Party's , advocating targeted measures against entrenched ruling elites, market-oriented economic policies to spur growth, and scrutiny of EU accession delays attributed to implementation lapses under Edi Rama's administration, such as stalled judicial reforms and persistent oligarchic influence. These themes underscored the alliance's strategic positioning as a corrective force, drawing on documented PS shortcomings in indices and EU progress reports to rally unified opposition sentiment without delving into broader doctrinal shifts.

Composition and Leadership

Member political parties

The Together We Win coalition encompasses four core political parties that form a unified centre-right bloc: the (PD), Freedom Party (PL), Demochristian Party (PDK), and (PBDNJ). The PD, aligned with its dominant internal , represents the coalition's largest , delivering an established for nationwide voter and mobilization drawn from longstanding opposition to the ruling Socialist Party. The PL supplements this with targeted engagement toward diverse and minority voter bases, leveraging its evolution from prior centrist formations that positioned it as a pivotal coalition partner in past Albanian politics. The PDK adds representation for voters prioritizing traditional , securing support in specialized demographic pockets. The PBDNJ extends the alliance's reach by advocating for the Greek ethnic minority in southeastern , fostering broader inclusivity across communal lines. This composition facilitates joint electoral lists, enabling coordinated challenges to the Socialist Party's extended governance since 2013, as demonstrated by the coalition's capture of 6 municipalities and associated council seats in the , 2023, local elections.

Key leaders and roles

functions as the de facto leader of Together We Win, shaping the coalition's overarching strategy and policy vision despite legal prohibitions on his personal candidacy imposed in 2021. A cardiologist by training, Berisha served as 's from 1992 to July 1997, initiating post-communist transitions including democratic institutional reforms and market-oriented policies that privatized land and housing, enabling the private sector to constitute approximately three-quarters of GDP by the mid-1990s. As from September 2005 to September 2013, his administration implemented tax reductions, such as lowering the tax , and pursued fiscal stabilization that reduced from triple digits in the early 1990s to single digits, alongside annual GDP growth averaging 4-6% in the latter period, fostering development and EU integration progress. These empirical outcomes underscore causal contributions to 's , contrasting with predominant media portrayals emphasizing unadjudicated allegations over verified governance impacts. Ilir Meta holds the de jure position of chairperson and serves as a primary spokesperson, overseeing tactical operations, public relations, and coalition outreach to diverse voter bases, including minorities. With a background in political economy, Meta was prime minister from October 1999 to February 2002, during which his government advanced foreign policy engagements, earning recognition for contributions to Albania's NATO aspirations, and later as parliamentary speaker from September 2013 to April 2017 before becoming president from July 2017 to July 2022. In the coalition, Meta's role emphasizes alliance-building and electoral coordination, complementing Berisha's vision by executing day-to-day decisions and mitigating risks of dominance by any single constituent party. This division of influence—Berisha's emphasis on ideological and long-term directives paired with Meta's focus on operational agility—promotes equilibrium among the coalition's member organizations, drawing on their respective histories of executive leadership to unify opposition efforts without subordinating smaller partners. While both leaders navigate corruption investigations from institutions critics describe as politically influenced by the incumbent —often prioritizing narrative over procedural rigor—their prior tenures demonstrate tangible policy deliverables, such as Meta's facilitation of cross-party stability during EU accession talks. This structure enhances the coalition's resilience against internal fractures, prioritizing collective agency over individualized authority.

Ideology and Policy Platform

Core ideological positions

The "Together We Win" coalition adheres to a centre-right ideology rooted in and traditional right-wing values, including individual liberty, , , , and the preservation of the traditional family structure. These principles prioritize intervention and the protection of property rights as foundational to personal responsibility and economic initiative, positioning the coalition in opposition to state-centric models that expand dominance. Central to its worldview is the promotion of an independent to eradicate and restore institutional integrity, with explicit critiques of the ruling Socialist Party's alleged entrenchment of control over key state bodies, including the and electoral processes. This stance underscores a commitment to measures driven by judicial rather than political oversight, aiming to dismantle clientelist networks that undermine fair competition and . On , the coalition supports Albania's pro-European trajectory and Atlanticist orientation but conditions accelerated progress on substantive rule-of-law advancements, highlighting empirical delays in judicial reforms initiated in , where thousands of cases remain unresolved despite international oversight. Socially conservative elements emphasize national sovereignty and family-centric policies, targeting support from rural and traditional demographics marginalized by urban-focused governance approaches. Economically, the positions favor , , and market liberalization to foster sustainable growth, critiquing reliance on vulnerable sectors like remittances—accounting for approximately 10% of GDP in recent years—and , which expose the to external shocks, in contrast to expansive public spending under the incumbent administration.

Key campaign promises and stances

The coalition pledged to depoliticize the Special Structure Against Corruption (SPAK) by enhancing its operational independence from executive influence, aiming to halt what it described as selective prosecutions disproportionately targeting opposition politicians, with over 20 figures charged since 2019 while fewer government officials faced similar scrutiny. This stance contrasted with the ruling Socialist Party's record, where failed to meet key EU justice benchmarks, including full vetting of judges and prosecutors, stalling accession talks initiated in 2022. Economically, Bashkë Fitojmë committed to drastic tax reductions within the first 100 days of , including zero taxes for small businesses and free professions, a flat 10% rate, and the lowest overall tax burden in to stimulate small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which employ over 70% of Albania's workforce. Additional pledges encompassed 5,000-euro grants for youth starting new businesses, creation of four free economic zones, and decentralization of infrastructure investments to regions beyond , addressing the capital's dominance in public spending, which exceeded 40% of national projects under prior administrations. On security and migration, the platform emphasized combating —linked to governance tolerance, with ranking high in EU reports on trafficking—and improving public safety to curb brain drain, where over 1.4 million citizens emigrated since 1990 amid rates above 10% in rural areas. These measures included stricter controls and drives to retain skilled youth, prioritizing empirical job creation over aid-focused narratives, as evidenced by the coalition's critique of unaddressed EU migration benchmarks under the incumbent government.

Electoral Participation

2023 local elections

The Bashkë Fitojmë coalition participated in Albania's local elections on May 14, 2023, marking its electoral debut as a unified opposition front against the ruling (PS). The campaign emphasized anti-corruption themes and opposition to what coalition leaders described as PS "machine politics" involving administrative resources and . Joint candidate lists were fielded in major municipalities, including , where Belind Këlliçi received 34.58% of the vote, and , focusing on promises of transparent governance and economic revitalization in urban centers. Official results certified by the Central Election Commission (CEC) showed the coalition securing 7 mayoral positions out of 61 municipalities, including strongholds such as (58.13% for Rrok Dodaj), Has, (50.12% for Fredi Beleri), Fushë Arrëz, and others in northern and southeastern regions. Additionally, Bashkë Fitojmë obtained 292 seats nationwide, reflecting competitive performance in areas with historical opposition support despite the PS capturing 53 municipalities and 757 council seats. Voter turnout was low at 38.23%, potentially disadvantaging challengers reliant on mobilized bases. The election process drew complaints from Bashkë Fitojmë representatives regarding alleged irregularities, including ballot tampering and undue influence in PS-dominated areas, leading to contests in municipalities like and Belsh. While some recounts occurred, the CEC largely upheld results, with international observers noting procedural issues but overall competitiveness. The coalition's relative underperformance compared to PS dominance has been linked by its leaders to debut coordination difficulties among member parties and restricted coverage favoring incumbents, though empirical vote distributions in contested races—such as over 40% in several urban councils—suggested scalability potential absent from fragmented opposition dynamics elsewhere.

2025 parliamentary elections

The Together We Win coalition positioned itself as the main opposition force in the 11 May 2025 parliamentary elections, implementing lessons from the 2023 local contests by focusing on and broader voter engagement. , leader of the Freedom Party within the coalition, ran on an in to appeal directly to urban voters disillusioned with entrenched politics. , constrained by ongoing corruption trials and restrictions, directed efforts remotely, emphasizing anti-corruption messaging against the ruling (PS). The coalition intensified diaspora outreach, capitalizing on recent electoral reforms enabling out-of-country voting for approximately 245,935 expatriates, to bolster support amid domestic voter fatigue. The campaign platform sharpened critiques of PS governance, arguing that systemic corruption and administrative overreach under stalled EU accession progress despite formal negotiation openings. Opposition rhetoric highlighted 2024-2025 economic pressures, including sustained high emigration rates—evidenced by net outflows exceeding 40,000 annually—as symptomatic of unaddressed structural failures, even as official growth reached 3.3% and fell to 2.2%. Berisha labeled the regime a "narco-dictatorship," linking alleged criminal ties to blocked reforms required for integration. Final results certified by the Central Election Commission showed PS dominance persisting with 52% of votes and 82 of 140 seats, reflecting no major seat gains for Together We Win compared to fragmented opposition showings in 2021. The coalition, encompassing the and allies, secured a reduced parliamentary —marking the DP's worst performance since 1997—but maintained an opposition bloc sufficient to challenge legislation and demand accountability. Observers, including OSCE/ODIHR, noted competitive conduct but a polarized environment where leveraged administrative resources, contributing to voter apathy and perceptions of electoral inevitability. This dynamic limited opposition breakthroughs, though the coalition's persistent scrutiny evidenced its role in extracting concessions on judicial and anti-corruption measures ahead of talks. Berisha rejected the outcomes, alleging irregularities that undermined fairness.

Controversies and Criticisms

Legal proceedings against leaders

, leader of the and a key figure in the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition, has faced multiple corruption investigations by Albania's Special Structure Against Corruption and Organized Crime (). In September 2024, Berisha was formally charged with corruption related to a 2008 property deal, where he allegedly abused his position as to facilitate the of public land—formerly a communist-era site—for his son-in-law's benefit at below-market value. The trial commenced in July 2025, with Berisha denying the charges and characterizing them as politically motivated retaliation by the ruling following his opposition activities after the 2017 elections. Berisha's was stripped in December 2023, leading to imposed on December 30, 2023, after he reportedly violated a prior reporting obligation; this measure lasted nearly a year until a ordered his release on 27, 2024, pending . No conviction has been secured as of late 2025, and Berisha has appealed aspects of the proceedings to the , which issued a decision in November 2024 upholding certain procedural elements. Ilir Meta, former president and head of the Freedom Party (PL), co-leader of Bashkë Fitojmë, was arrested on October 21, 2024, on charges including passive corruption, , and illicit enrichment stemming from alleged bribery schemes during his tenure as prime minister. referred Meta and his wife, MP , to trial in September 2025 for these offenses, asserting they involved falsified asset declarations and abuse of office to secure undue financial gains. Meta's in Tirana's 313 has been repeatedly upheld by courts, including rejections of appeals in August and October 2025 by the Special Court and , citing flight risk and evidence tampering concerns. Like Berisha, Meta maintains the case lacks substantive proof and reflects timed to weaken opposition ahead of elections, with no final conviction as proceedings continue. International observers have highlighted potential politicization in Albania's judicial processes against opposition figures. U.S. sanctions designating Berisha "non grata" since 2021 for alleged remain in effect as of mid-2025, despite efforts and claims of insufficient , underscoring ongoing scrutiny but no reversal. The European Commission's 2025 Report notes Albania's judicial reforms have advanced but persist with vulnerabilities to political pressure and uneven application, including in high-profile cases, potentially compromising . A leaked Council document from June 2025 expressed concerns over "undue pressure" on the justice system by government actors, warning it hinders Albania's accession without broader safeguards. These proceedings, while based on prosecutorial , have drawn critiques for patterns of prolonged pre-trial restrictions on unconvicted opposition leaders, contrasting with acquittals or lighter handling in cases involving ruling party affiliates.

Allegations of electoral irregularities

In the 2023 local elections held on May 14, the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition filed multiple complaints alleging vote-buying and undue influence in municipalities dominated by the ruling Socialist Party (PS), particularly through clientelism involving public sector jobs and welfare benefits. These claims were supported in part by OSCE/ODIHR observers, who documented instances of vote-buying via cash payments and pressure on public employees, with some recounts in contested areas like Rrogozhina leading to the Electoral College overturning initial results on June 15 due to procedural violations. The coalition also accused PS-aligned media of censorship and biased coverage, echoing OSCE findings of uneven media access favoring incumbents, though fundamental freedoms were generally respected amid high political polarization. PS representatives countered with allegations of vote-rigging by the coalition in opposition strongholds, claiming organized ballot stuffing and , but these were largely dismissed by electoral authorities for insufficient evidence, as noted in post-election audits showing minimal discrepancies outside isolated procedural errors. Independent monitors, including OSCE, prioritized coalition-submitted complaints in multiparty scrutiny processes, finding greater substantiation for advantages in resource misuse over opposition misconduct. During the May 11, 2025 parliamentary elections, disputes intensified over voting, where up to 15,000 ballots reportedly failed to reach voters due to administrative delays in envelope distribution, prompting demands for extended deadlines and recounts. systems in select northern districts experienced glitches, including delays in result transmission and transparency concerns, which opposition figures attributed to potential favoring PS, though Central Election Commission audits attributed most issues to technical overload rather than . ODIHR's final report highlighted procedural shortcomings, , and vote-buying persisting from prior cycles, with data indicating PS's structural edges in state resource allocation exacerbating an unlevel playing field, while recommending enhanced multiparty oversight to address systemic vulnerabilities. PS dismissed these as unsubstantiated, asserting exaggerations to undermine the 52.1% victory margin.

Internal and external disputes

The coalition "Bashkë Fitojmë" experienced internal tensions primarily over candidate nominations and power-sharing arrangements, rooted in the personal histories of leaders and , who had previously leveled severe accusations against each other, including claims of murder and theft by Berisha toward Meta. These frictions manifested in negotiations where Meta secured prominent positioning, such as the Electoral College's April 21, 2023, decision to list his name as the coalition's lead on ballots rather than Berisha's, reflecting Meta's insistence on "safe" visibility to protect his influence amid the alliance's formation under time constraints following the Democratic Party's internal . While resolved pragmatically to enable unified opposition against the ruling , this highlighted the risks of a personality-driven , where to leaders overshadowed institutional mechanisms, potentially exacerbating factionalism if post-election spoils proved unequal. Externally, the (PS), led by Prime Minister , depicted "Bashkë Fitojmë" as a "criminal " by amplifying historical allegations against its figures, such as Meta's legal entanglements and Berisha's past indictments, framing the as unfit for . members rebutted these claims by citing documented ties between Rama's family and opaque business dealings, including incinerator contracts awarded without competitive bidding—valued at over €400 million—and allegations of EU funds diversion, as detailed in investigations implicating Rama's inner circle in systemic graft. Further complicating visibility, the alleged media blackouts enforced through government influence over outlets, with opposition voices receiving curtailed airtime despite regulatory monitoring showing PS dominance in coverage during the 2023 local elections. Criticism from rival opposition factions, such as Enkelejd Alibeaj's group stemming from the split, centered on Berisha's perceived dominance, which they argued marginalized moderates and prioritized vendettas over broad appeal, as evidenced by Alibeaj's March 21, 2023, legal challenge to the coalition's registration. Coalition supporters countered that such unity demonstrated resilience against systemic exclusion, enabling voter consolidation in key areas like the seven municipalities won in 2023, where fragmented opposition had previously yielded zero gains. This dynamic underscored causal tensions in Albania's polarized landscape, where alliances form reactively to counter perceived PS hegemony but strain under competing egos and external vilification.

Impact and Current Status

Electoral outcomes and political influence

In the 2023 local elections held on May 14, the Together We Win coalition secured mayoral victories in 6 of Albania's 61 municipalities, primarily in northern strongholds like Dibra, , and Bulqizë, where opposition sentiment remains robust despite national dominance by the Socialist Party (PS). These wins represented approximately 10% of local executive positions, allowing the coalition to maintain administrative influence in regions with historical Democratic Party support. The coalition's performance in the May 11, 2025, parliamentary elections yielded a persistent minority role, with the PS capturing 82 of 140 seats on 52% of the vote, while Together We Win and allied opposition forces collectively held enough seats to block . A of 94 seats is required for constitutional amendments, compelling the PS to negotiate on major legislative changes rather than enact them unilaterally. This outcome, though short of ousting the PS, reduced the ruling party's unchecked authority compared to scenarios of total opposition collapse, as evidenced by vote share trends showing the coalition's 20-25% regional peaks amid national fragmentation. Politically, the coalition's parliamentary leverage has forced PS concessions on justice reforms, including expansions to the vetting process for judges and prosecutors, with opposition proposals for politicized vetting prompting referral to the for review in November 2023. Legislative records indicate these pressures contributed to incremental adjustments in frameworks, though critics attribute limited national breakthroughs to internal opposition divisions rather than inherent strategy flaws. Albanian media, frequently aligned with PS interests, often underreports such influences, prioritizing narratives of ruling party stability over opposition checks on power.

Ongoing activities and future prospects

Following the 2025 parliamentary elections, the Bashkë Fitojmë coalition has sustained its role in , scrutinizing (PS) legislation on issues such as judicial reforms and public procurement amid allegations of executive overreach. Coalition lawmakers, primarily from the faction led by , have participated in sessions while contesting the election's legitimacy, claiming systemic irregularities that undermined fair competition. Berisha, despite ongoing related to charges since 2023, has delivered public addresses emphasizing restoration of democratic , including a speech on October 16, 2025, framing the opposition's persistence as a phoenix-like resurgence. These efforts include preparations for potential by-elections and the next local cycle in 2027, such as endorsing independent candidates like Florjan Binaj for key municipal roles to challenge PS incumbents. The coalition faces hurdles from Berisha's legal constraints, which restrict physical campaigning, and broader voter fatigue after consecutive electoral defeats, exacerbated by internal Democratic Party divisions that fragmented the opposition vote to approximately 34% for the main PD list. However, its core center-right base remains loyal, drawing on anti-corruption narratives and appeals to expatriate voters disillusioned with PS governance. Declining effective electorate size, driven by emigration rather than explicit boycotts, underscores latent discontent, as Albania's population eligible to vote has shrunk amid economic stagnation and perceived institutional capture, with analysts attributing PS victories partly to this demographic erosion rather than unqualified popularity. Prospects hinge on consolidating alliances ahead of local contests, potentially incorporating smaller conservative groups to counter PS dominance, as Berisha signaled in pre-election overtures. EU accession dynamics offer leverage, with advancing cluster negotiations on and green policies since April 2025, implicitly pressuring for verifiable and —areas where opposition critiques of PS influence could gain traction if substantiated by international monitoring. Failure to address risks stalling progress toward 2030 membership goals, incentivizing PS concessions or opposition resurgence via reformed competition frameworks.