The Social Democratic Party of Albania (, PSD or PSDSH) is a minor social democratic political party in Albania. Its founder is Skënder Gjinushi, a former Minister of Education (1987–1991) and Speaker of Parliament (1997–2001). Its current chairman is Deputy Tom Doshi.
History The PSD was formed in March 1991 by former members of the Party of Labour of Albania who embraced social democracy, and was admitted into the Socialist International at its XIX congress in 1992.Decisions on Membership of the Socialist International Socialist International The party placed third in the 1992 parliamentary election, winning seven seats.Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p142 It won only 1.52% and no seats in the 1996 election, but contested the 1997 election in an alliance with the Socialist Party, with the PSD winning nine seats.Nohlen & Stöver, pp.140–142
In the 2001 elections the party was reduced to four seats competing independently. The 2005 elections saw the party increase its representation back to seven seats. For the 2009 election it was part of the "Unification for Changes" alliance with the Socialist Party, but received just 1.8% of the national vote and lost all its seats. In the 2017 election it returned to parliament with one seat. The 2021 election saw the party win three seats which it retained at the 2025 election.
The party's political base is in the north of the country, specifically Shkodër and Kukës counties. In the 2025 parliamentary election the party won 16% of the vote in Shkodër and 13% in Kukës, its two strongest performances. Social Democrat Edmond Ndou holds the office of Chairman of the Shkodër County Council.
Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Albania Skënder Gjinushi (March 1991 – 17 December 2020) Tom Doshi (17 December 2020 – present)
Timeline
Election results Parliament ElectionLeaderVotes%Seats+/–RankStatus1992Skënder Gjinushi73,8204.043rd199625,019 1.52 7 8th1997245,18117.35 9 3rd200148,9113.65 5 4th2005174,10312.74 3 4th200926,7001.76 7 5th201310,2200.59 0 9th201714,9930.95 1 5th2021Tom Doshi35,4772.25 2 4th202549,8903.10 0 4th
References
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