Sergei Stanishev, PES President said: “I personally congratulate Edi Rama for the victory of PSS. A change in Albanian politics was desperately needed. This is what citizens were asking for. Edi Rama is now the right person to lead the country, to deliver on progressive policies and ensure social justice.”
PSS formed an electoral coalition with the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), led by Ilir Meta, at the launch of the PES Balkan Conference in Shkodra (Albania) on 22 April 2013.
Kristian Vigenin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and PES Chair of the PES Western Balkans Task Force stated: “This is excellent news from Albania. These elections were crucial for its future and for its path towards EU membership. Much efforts need to be done now to implement reforms that were blocked during a very long political deadlock. I am looking forward to collaborate with the new progressive Albanian government.”
The PES remains fully committed to the enlargement process towards the Western Balkans through the organisation of various initiatives such its yearly Balkan Conference, its Task Force on Western Balkan Enlargement and its regular delegations in the Balkan countries.