TIRANA, Albania – Concerns over unemployment, high prices and tax burdens were voiced by Albanians who participated in focus group research conducted by the National Democratic Institute (NDI) last December.

These immediate concerns offset the majority of participants’ assessment that Albania is generally heading in a positive direction.

A majority of participants said they supported new law enforcement initiatives but some are concerned that enforcement is not consistently applied. They want public sector reform and an expanded and properly regulated private sector. They are exasperated by partisan bickering that they see as denigrating public institutions and demeaning political discourse.

Other key findings:

• Corruption, as such, was not cited as a top priority—in contrast to previous research findings. But participants persistently alluded to corrupt practice in comments about economic and social affairs, notably in health care, education and the judiciary. Participants desired meritocratic hiring in public administration, which is seen as nepotistic and based on political connections. Some perceived selective enforcement of laws favoring the wealthy and politically connected.
  
   
• Support for European Union integration remained high and was linked principally to expectations of economic growth and opportunity.
  
   
• There was notional support for local government administrative reform, but participants were unclear about what the reform package specifically entails.
  
   
• Palpable frustration with politicians’ disparaging attacks against political opponents echoed research findings of the past two years. Participants also criticized what they saw as politicians’ inability to deliver on many promised actions.
  
   
• Participants welcomed the presence of women in politics. They saw elected women officials as responsive to the public interest and more constructive voices in political dialogue.  

“Participants in the discussions were mostly pleased by new government initiatives to curb losses in the energy sector, demolish illegal construction and close private universities seen to offer degrees for purchase. At the same time, and overriding these positive views, are deep concerns about the economy, social cohesion and people’s own prospects for their and their family’s future,” said NDI/Albania Director Ana Kadovic.

Ten focus group sessions were held in Tirana, Elbasan, Shkodër, Fier, and Korcë. The research was conducted in partnership with IDRA Research & Consulting, and made possible through the support of the National Endowment for Democracy. Focus group findings are indicative of public sentiment but not statistically reflective of public opinion.

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The National Democratic Institute (www.ndi.org) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.