Meanwhile, tomorrow the Interim Benchmark Assessment Report, otherwise known as IBAR, is expected to move to the COREPER working group of ambassadors from the 27 EU member states. Its approval is seen as an important step that paves the way for further advancement of the negotiation process, including the phase of beginning the closure of accession chapters.
The May 2, 2026 version of the report contains an analysis regarding the functioning of democratic institutions, public administration reform, the judiciary, the fight against corruption, freedom of expression and media, among other issues. The document also compares the report with the February 26, 2026 version.
The report emphasizes that the document provides a comprehensive comparison between the two versions of the EU’s Interim Common Position on Albania’s accession negotiations under Cluster 1 (Fundamentals). The first version is the Commission Draft, while the second is the Presidency’s compromise proposal, representing the negotiated text among EU Member States.
According to the document, the report identifies 32 substantial changes across 11 thematic areas. It states that the new report is more specific in its requirements and more protective toward institutions and groups—such as SPAK, minorities, journalists, and local governance—that the EU considers to be under pressure.
The report notes that attacks against SPAK were described as “increasing and concerning, including at high levels.” Corruption was upgraded from a “serious concern” to a “fundamental concern.” Patronage networks were also named for the first time as a problem in electoral governance.
The report further addressed parliamentary interference in ongoing SPAK investigations, compliance with Constitutional Court rulings and Venice Commission immunity standards, property abuses linked to minority and coastal areas, police integrity, and the autonomy of local governance.
Key parts of the report
1. Structure of the Document
The February 2026 Commission Draft opened with an introductory section presenting an overall positive assessment of Albania’s progress. However, the May 2026 version removes this section entirely and begins directly with unresolved requirements. According to the report, this structural change itself represents a political statement: the May version focuses less on recognizing progress and more on specifying what remains unacceptable.
2. Functioning of Democratic Institutions
The May version places greater emphasis on implementing electoral recommendations before future municipal elections and introduces new references to ensuring a level playing field for all candidates, preventing misuse of state resources, and reducing the influence of patronage networks. The term “patronage networks” is described as the EU’s first explicit naming of this structural issue within the accession framework.
3. Public Administration Reform
The May report highlights the creation of a bipartisan parliamentary committee dedicated to territorial reform and stresses the need to protect the division of responsibilities between central and local government, including local autonomy. It also requires reforms to be carried out through inclusive dialogue with civil society and minority representatives.
4. Judiciary and SPAK
One of the most politically significant changes concerns attacks on justice institutions. The May version expresses “regret” over “increasing and concerning” attempts by public officials and politicians, including at high levels, to exert undue influence on justice institutions, specifically mentioning SPAK for the first time.
The report also calls on Albania to protect and preserve the standards established through the vetting process in a sustainable manner.
5. Fight Against Corruption
Corruption was elevated from a “serious concern” to a “fundamental concern” in the language of the report, signaling a stronger EU warning. At the same time, the report explicitly praises SPAK and its courts for achievements in high-level corruption cases.
The May version also introduces a requirement that public statements by institutions and officials regarding ongoing investigations must respect the presumption of innocence and avoid interference in judicial proceedings.
6. Freedom of Expression and Media
The report strengthens anti-SLAPP provisions by requiring rapid alignment with the EU Anti-SLAPP Directive and by assigning responsibility to specific contact points within the State Police and prosecution services for journalist safety.
7. Property Rights
The May text highlights the disproportionate impact of property registration failures in minority-populated and coastal areas. It also introduces new deadlines for demonstrating progress in property registration and calls for fair compensation in expropriation cases.
8. National Minorities
The report demands guaranteed access to education in minority languages without excessive population-threshold requirements and warns that electoral and administrative reforms must not negatively affect minority rights.
9. Justice, Freedom, and Security
The May version significantly strengthens demands regarding police integrity, calling for “decisive and sustainable steps,” including merit-based appointments, transparent promotions, and stronger oversight by the Police Oversight Agency.
10. Economic Criteria
The report expands criticism of legal uncertainty, property rights enforcement, and transparency in state-owned enterprises. It also introduces a completely new paragraph linking the real estate and construction sectors directly to corruption, incomplete property titles, and non-financial transactions.
