Albanians vote in election after a campaign dominated by uphill efforts to join the EU

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albanians voted Sunday in parliamentary elections after a boisterous campaign dominated by the country’s uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama’s bid for a fourth term in office.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. Sunday and vote counting is expected to conclude within 48 hours in an election in which 140 lawmakers will be selected to four-year terms.

Because of mass emigration, the country of 2.8 million people has about 3.7 million eligible voters. For the first time, those in the diaspora — about 191,000 so far this time — could vote, casting their ballots by mail.

Rama’s Socialist Party says it can deliver EU membership in five years, sticking to its ambitious pledge while battling conservative opponents with public recriminations and competing promises of pay hikes.

Opening up the election to voters abroad for the first time has added to the volatility, along with the appearance of new parties, a shift in campaigning to social media and a recent TikTok ban.

Voting was largely peaceful, with just a few skirmishes involving candidates and supporters around the country. Officials put preliminary voter turnout at 41.4%, 4% lower than it was in 2021.

“For the most part, excluding some sporadic cases, the process has been in line with the rules and standards,” said Ilirjan Celibashi, the head of the Central Election Commission.

Rama, 60, who secured the start of EU membership negotiations last October, highlighted achievements in infrastructure and justice reform in his campaign.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas is pressing Albania to continue reforms — particularly in governance and anti-corruption efforts — to stay on track for EU membership.

Rama’s main challenger is Sali Berisha, 80, a former president and prime minister, who argues that Albania still isn’t ready for EU membership. He started the campaign borrowing from U.S. President Donald Trump's slogan, which he changed to “Make Albania Great Again,” but eventually settled on “Grandiose Albania.”

Berisha wore a blue baseball cap marked with a No. 1, the party’s position on the ballot. Rama sported a black cap emblazoned with the Socialist Party’s No. 5.

Berisha claimed they had won in all the traditional center-right areas, adding that counting should not take place under pressure.

“Nothing can change. People have spoken decisively," he said.

Economic concerns have been central to the campaign.

The Socialists say they will accelerate a tourism boom, from 10 million arrivals in 2024 to 30 million by 2030, diversifying destinations by expanding infrastructure projects.

The Democrats argue that the government’s dismal performance has driven more than 1 million Albanians to leave the county over the past decade.

After casting his ballot, Berisha called on Albanians to vote “for themselves, for their children, their pensions and salaries, employment, business, their farm.”

Both parties made similar promises on minimum pensions, an average monthly salary and a minimum wage – all about 20% or higher than current levels.

But analyst Lutfi Dervishi considered that scenario unlikely.

“It’s a campaign without debate and results without surprises,” he said. “Elections won’t shake up the current scene — neither the system nor the main actors.”

Despite Albania’s significant improvement in Transparency International’s corruption index — rising from 116th in 2013 to 80th in the ranking in 2024 — corruption remains the country’s Achilles’ heel and a stumbling block for European integration.

Sweeping judicial reforms launched in 2016 with support from the EU and U.S. led to investigations and prosecutions of senior officials. Several former ministers, mayors and high-ranking officials have been jailed, while others face ongoing investigations.

Despite promises of cleaner governance, both major parties are fielding candidates facing corruption allegations. Berisha himself has been charged with corruption and is awaiting trial.

While Rama’s Socialists take credit for the reformed judiciary, Berisha has vowed to dissolve it, describing it as a tool of the Rama government’s selective justice.

Social media has become a primary vehicle for campaigning. Rama hosted daily Facebook livestreams to engage with voters. Berisha followed suit, though less frequently.

The government has imposed a 12-month ban on TikTok, citing concerns over incitement and online bullying. Opposition parties condemned the move as censorship.

A code of conduct introduced by the Albanian ombudsman to encourage ethical campaigning fell flat as political discourse grew increasingly toxic. Rama described Berisha as a “swamp owl” — a metaphor for graft — while Berisha branded Rama as a “chief gangster.”

More than 570 international observers monitored this year’s parliamentary election. They have planned a news conference Monday afternoon.

Ballot boxes are carried following the end of the voting procedure in Albania's parliamentary election after a boisterous campaign dominated by the country's uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama's bid for a fourth term, in Tirana, Albania, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Ballot boxes are checked following the end of the voting procedure in Albania's parliamentary election after a boisterous campaign dominated by the country's uphill effort to join the European Union and Prime Minister Edi Rama's bid for a fourth term, in Tirana, Albania, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Sali Berisha, center, leader of Democratic Party of Albania, makes statements outside a voting station during a general election where rival Socialist Edi Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo)

Sali Berisha, leader of Democratic Party of Albania, is seen during a voting procedure at a general election where rival Socialist Edi Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo)

Sali Berisha, leader of Democratic Party of Albania, leaves a voting station during a general election where rival Socialist Edi Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo)

Albania's Socialist party leader Edi Rama stands behind a booth ahead of casting his ballot, during a general election where Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister, in Tirana, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Sali Berisha, leader of Democratic Party of Albania, casts his ballot during a general election where rival Socialist Edi Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister in Tirana, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo)

Albania's ruling Socialist party leader Edi Rama, center, and his wife Linda, left, leave a voting station during a general election where Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Albania's ruling Socialist party leader Edi Rama casts his ballot during a general election where Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minister, in Tirana, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

A woman casts her ballot during a general election, as Prime Minister Edi Rama is seeking a fourth term as Albania's prime minisster in Tirana, Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

A man checks documents during a general election in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Voters prepare their ballots during a general election in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

A man prepares to vote during a general election in Tirana, Albania Sunday, May 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

People pass a billboard of the opposition Democratic Party (ASHM) that reads "Vote Grandiose Albania, 1,200 euros average salary, 10% flat tax," in Tirana, Albania, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Supporters of Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama wave flags of their country during his main election campaign rally in Tirana, Albania, Friday, May 9, 2025, as his ruling Socialist Party (PS) seeks a fourth term. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama speaks during his main election campaign rally in Tirana, Albania, Friday, May 9, 2025, as his ruling Socialist Party (PS) seeks a fourth term. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

An employee handles the mail-in ballots , as Albania is heading to the polls on Sunday with Socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama seeks a fourth term, in Tirana, Albania, Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Vlasov Sulaj)

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander isn't scoring the way he usually does, but the Oklahoma City Thunder are still winning the way they normally do.

Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning NBA MVP, averaged 31.1 points during the regular season. In the Western Conference semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, he is averaging 20 points and taking only 14 shots per game.

Oklahoma City has still won the first two games by an average of 18 points. Gilgeous-Alexander and Chet Holmgren each scored 22 points, and the defending champion Thunder beat the Lakers 125-107 on Thursday night.

Ajay Mitchell, starting in place of injured Jalen Williams, is averaging 19 points on 50% shooting in the series for Oklahoma City.

“I think the coaching staff does a good job at just getting all of us ready,” said Mitchell, a second-year guard. "And we have a lot of competitors. Like, everyone’s a competitor on our team. So every time the lights are bright, everyone’s ready to go.”

Holmgren is the leading scorer for the Thunder in the best-of-seven series with 23 points per game. The 2026 All-Star also is averaging 10.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks.

Jared McCain, a midseason acquisition from the Philadelphia 76ers, barely played in the first round against Phoenix but has averaged 15 points and made 8 of 10 3-pointers in the series.

“He goes in there, stays in character, stays aggressive," Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said. "He’s going to shoot the next shot. He makes the right plays, plays inside the team. He competes defensively, has had good defensive possessions for us. And he was huge tonight. You need that in a playoff series.”

The Lakers again were without scoring champion Luka Doncic, who is out indefinitely with a strained left hamstring. They also were missing forward Jarred Vanderbilt, the reserve forward who dislocated the pinkie on his right hand during the second quarter of Game 1. The Lakers had three players finish with five fouls, limiting their aggressiveness late in the game.

Los Angeles guard Austin Reaves, who struggled with his shot in Game 1, scored 31 points on 10-for-16 shooting in Game 2. LeBron James, coming off a 27-point effort in Game 1, followed that up with 23.

With the Lakers up 63-61 early in the third quarter, Gilgeous-Alexander got tied up with Reaves and was called for his fourth foul. Upon review, it was upgraded to a flagrant 1 for Gilgeous-Alexander's follow through. Oklahoma City's Alex Caruso was called for a technical foul as the situation was being sorted out.

Gilgeous-Alexander left the game with the Lakers up 65-61, but the Thunder rallied and took control without him. On a fast break, Holmgren found a trailing Jaylin Williams, who hit a 3-pointer and was fouled. His free throw put the Thunder up 85-74.

The Thunder outscored the Lakers 32-15 while Gilgeous-Alexander was out in the third quarter to take a 93-80 lead into the fourth.

“It was amazing," Gilgeous-Alexander said. “They strung together stops, they’re playing the right way offensively and things are going their way. Full confidence in those guys. They know how to win basketball games. And we've proven that. They’ve proven that no matter who’s on the floor, they know how to get the job done. And they just did it again tonight."

The Lakers cut Oklahoma City's lead to five in the fourth quarter before the Thunder pulled away again.

Los Angeles will host Game 3 on Saturday.

“We just stuck with it,” Holmgren said. “It’s the game of basketball. It’s not always going to go your way. It’s about how you respond. And this team has proven many times that we know how to respond. And we did so tonight.”

This story has been corrected to show that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 20, not 19, points per game against the Lakers.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Oklahoma City Thunder's Chet Holmgren (7) shoots over Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves (15) in the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Ajay Mitchell, front, works for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers' Austin Reaves, rear, defends in the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James stands on the court in the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series against the Oklahoma City Thunder Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket past Los Angeles Lakers' Deandre Ayton (5) and LeBron James, rear, in the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)

Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (7) works to the basket against Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) in the second half of Game 2 in a second-round NBA basketball playoffs series Thursday, May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)