Another clash over post-election financial responsibilities has reached the CEC. The Liberal Democratic Union party, led by Arjan Starova, is challenging a fine of 2 million new lek, arguing that the financial report was not the party’s obligation but that of the coalition with which it competed on May 11.
Complaint after the CEC decision
The LDU has submitted an official letter to the Central Election Commission after being fined for failing to submit on time the financial report for the May 11, 2025 elections.
According to the complaint filed by Arjan Starova, the party does not bear individual responsibility for this obligation because in those elections it took part as part of the “Alliance for Great Albania” coalition and not as a separate electoral subject in the race.
Main argument: the responsibility belongs to the coalition
In its request to the CEC, the LDU claims that all actions during the campaign were carried out by the coalition and not by the participating parties separately.
The appeal states that, although the Liberal Democratic Union was initially registered as a political subject, with the registration of the coalition “Democratic Party – Alliance for Great Albania,” the subject that actually took part in the May 11 elections was the coalition.
Likewise, in the party’s interpretation of Article 92/3, point 1, it stresses that the law uses the term “electoral subjects” and not “political parties,” which according to it shifts the obligation for financial reporting to the coalition.
Agreement with PD used as basis for objection
Starova also points to the agreement signed with the Democratic Party to become part of the coalition, presenting it as an element of legal weight in this dispute.
According to the content of the complaint, this agreement defines the parties’ reciprocal rights and obligations, the manner of cooperation, the division of responsibilities, and the mechanisms for resolving disputes.
LDU among 13 parties penalized
The Liberal Democratic Union is one of 13 parties that have been fined by CEC chief Ilirjan Celibashi for failing to meet obligations related to the financial report for the May 11, 2025 elections.
The case once again highlights the ambiguities and clashes that arise when parties run under the umbrella of coalitions, while financial responsibilities remain subject to interpretation and institutional sanction.
It now remains for the CEC to examine whether responsibility for submitting the financial report falls on each constituent party or on the coalition as the electoral subject.
Beyond the specific case, the debate touches on a sensitive point of electoral administration: who actually bears the legal burden when parties join coalitions but face fines and penalties separately.