New EU – Council of Europe action to strengthen electoral cycle in Albania, launched in Tirana

The Council of Europe has officially launched the new action Support to the Electoral Cycle in Albania (SECA), co-funded by the European Union.

The launch event, organised in co-operation with the State Election Commissioner, brought together senior representatives of public institutions, diplomatic corps, international organisations, experts, civil society and the media. They provided valuable discussions on key challenges affecting the electoral process and reaffirmed their joint commitment to inclusive, credible and transparent elections.

The event featured interventions by H.E. Ambassador Silvio Gonzato, Head of the European Union Delegation to Albania; Ilirjan Celibashi, State Election Commissioner; Liri Kopaçi-Di Michele, Head of the Parliamentary and Electoral Co-operation Division at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and Giulia Re, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Tirana. Key messages underlined that Albania’s upcoming electoral reform is a crucial opportunity to strengthen the professionalism, impartiality, and sustainability of election administration – an essential process for advancing the country’s European integration path.

The SECA action focuses on enhancing the independence and institutional capacity of the Central Election Commission (CEC) and promoting inclusive participation of civil society and media organisations in the electoral processes. The initiative is aiming at embedding sustainable practices in electoral administration and strengthening the professionalism and impartiality of electoral management. By establishing a structured policy dialogue between the CEC and civil society organisations, SECA seeks to boost public confidence in Albania’s electoral process, its institutions and their legitimacy. 

Co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe, the SECA action is implemented by the Council of Europe, with its Parliamentary Assembly overseeing its implementation. The action will run for 36 months, from July 2025 to July 2028.