The Democratic Impact of European Integration: Case Study of Albania

Abstract

To be a part of European Union is a challenge for all the countries of Western Balkans, and the European Union confirmed the European future as potential candidates of these countries. The Stabilisation – Association process is to help the countries to enter on EU, and to impact the strategy to adjust and to implement the necessary reforms. The Western Balkans countries have done a significant progress in the Stabilisation and Association process. The factors of stability, democratic elections, social-economic and institutional developments makes a gradual approach with European Union. The principle of democracy is a challenge for these countries, but the parliaments and parliamentary bodies are still characterized by the slow step of reform. General and local elections in the countries of Western Balkans were considered basically free but the participation of voters was generally low because the behavior of many political leaders leaves much to be desired.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2013.v4n6p223