In New York, a group of members from the Albanian diaspora staged a protest during a meeting organized by Prime Minister Edi Rama with Albanians living in America. The protesters voiced their concerns regarding the political situation in Albania and demanded accountability from the government on various issues, including corruption.
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| Diaspora Albanians in the USA protest against the visit of the current Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama |
The demonstration took place outside the venue where the Prime Minister was meeting with the diaspora. Armed with banners and flags from both the Democratic Party and the United States, the protesters emphasized the importance of the diaspora's voice in Albania's political processes and called for greater engagement from the government to address the issues that concern them.
Following the meeting with the diaspora in New York, Rama will return to Tirana and continue his tour next weekend, with plans to travel to Thessaloniki, Greece. On Sunday, November 3, he is scheduled to meet with the Albanian community in Thessaloniki. This will be Rama's second meeting in Greece, following a previous gathering in Athens on May 12.
In a significant development, expatriates will have the opportunity to vote for the first time in the parliamentary elections of 2025. Just a day prior, the Regulatory Commission at the Central Election Commission approved, with five votes in favor, a regulation that paves the way for the registration of voters from abroad and the preparation of the voter list.
According to the approved regulation, every Albanian citizen living abroad who wishes to participate in the parliamentary elections must register on the Electronic Registration Platform at least 68 days before the election date. Voters will need to download and create their own accounts, which will be accessible and free of charge.
As per the new Electoral Code, the votes of individuals residing abroad will be counted in the district where they lived before leaving Albania. This change is expected to enhance the political engagement of the Albanian diaspora and provide them with a more direct voice in the country's governance.