Albanian parties adopt code of conduct on digital campaigns

Inspired by the commitment shown by European political parties during the 2024 European elections – as well as similar national initiatives in the Netherlands and North Macedonia – Albanian political parties across the spectrum affirmed their commitment to democratic values at the signing ceremony of the Code of Conduct on Digital Campaigns at the premises of the Central Electoral Commission in Tirana, Albania.

This initiative comes ahead of the Albanian parliamentary elections on 11 May 2025 and reflects a collective agreement to promote ethical standards, combat disinformation, and ensure a level playing field in the digital sphere. The Code of Conduct was jointly developed and tailored to the Albanian context by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Rule of Law Centre at the University of Helsinki, and the National Democratic Institute, in close cooperation and consultation with the Central Election Commission, which played a pivotal role in the endorsement of the Code.

In the lead-up to the signing of the landmark Code of Conduct, a series of high-level discussions and stakeholder events set the stage for responsible online political campaigning. These engagements brought together electoral stakeholders to address pressing issues such as online advertising, hate speech, and data privacy in the digital campaign space. 

State Election Commissioner Ilirjan Celibashi thanked the political parties that welcomed the initiative, emphasizing that the Code aims to encourage parties running in the 11 May elections to engage in a fair, respectful, and appropriate campaign. “We hope parties and candidates will show restraint and uphold ethical standards throughout the campaign,” he said.

Tuija Brax, Executive Director of the Rule of Law Center at the University of Helsinki, noted that “even though this Code of Ethics is voluntary, it gives political parties a valuable opportunity to show voters they are serious and trustworthy.”

Blerta Hoxha, International IDEA’s Programme Manager for Western Balkans, praised the commitment of all stakeholders and congratulated the parties. “By proactively committing to a more ethical digital campaign, these parties align themselves with their counterparts in the European Parliament,” she stated.

Ana Kovacevic Kadovic, Senior Resident Director of the National Democratic Institute, added that “the signing of this Code reflects what can be achieved when institutions, political parties, and partners unite for a common goal—making election campaigns more ethical in the often-chaotic digital environment.”  

The next step of this important initiative includes monitoring mechanisms over the implementation of the Code commitments to draw lessons for upcoming electoral campaigns and to advocate addressing these issues in the next electoral reform.  

Key principles of the Code of Conduct:

At the signing ceremony, the parties agreed to key principles pertaining to electoral integrity. These encompass transparency in campaign financing, combating misinformation and disinformation, respecting opponents and voters by promoting civil debates and avoiding hate speech in digital communications, and adhering to data protection laws and the ethical use of technology.

The Code of Conduct is meant as a self-regulatory mechanism in complement to the existing legislation but also addresses some of the legal gaps in conducting digital campaigns. A series of meetings, discussions and events with policy makers, representatives of civil society, academics, researchers, and media took place in 2024 to initiate consultations, gather feedback and secure endorsement of the Code of Conduct on Digital Campaigns in Albania. This collaborative approach underscored a shared commitment to fostering transparency, accountability, and ethical practices in the digital political landscape.

On 25 March, the following political parties signed the Code of Conduct: 

• Socialist Party of Albania
• Democratic Party of Albania
• Freedom Party
• The Together Movement
• The Hashtag Initiative
• Opportunity Party 
• Albania Becomes Party

Read the Code of Conduct: English | Albanian. The Code of Conduct will remain open to additional signatures from national political parties wishing to commit.