Albanians went to the polls last Sunday to confirm the Socialist Party as the force to govern the country for the next four years. However, what caught the eye was a low participation.

3.45 Albanian citizens had the right to vote, but only 1.57 million, equal to 46.7%, casted their votes in the ballot boxes. The number is 160 thousand votes short compared to the general elections of 2013.

1.88 million Albanians, or 53.3% of the citizens with the right of vote, decided to ignore the elections and did not exercise their right.

The winning Socialist Party won 745 thousand votes, equal to 21% of the number of citizens with the right to vote.