Albania’s governing Socialist Party wins mayoral poll in a town with ethnic Greek minority

QEPARO, Albania (GCT) — Preliminary results indicate that Vangjel Tavo, the candidate from Albania's ruling Socialist Party, has secured the mayoral seat in the southwestern town of Himara.

The Central Election Commission reported on Monday that Tavo garnered over 58% of the votes in Sunday's election, while Petraq Gjikuria, representing the 'Together We Win' 10-party opposition coalition, received 41%. Both contenders belong to the local ethnic Greek minority. This early election took place after the previous mayor, Fredis Beleri, was deposed and jailed due to a vote-buying scandal. The incident has escalated tensions between Tirana and Athens, with Greece threatening to veto Albania's European Union membership application.