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All 250 seats in the Constitutional Assembly 126 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Turnout | 98.60% ( 1.40pp) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
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The 1991 Albanian parliamentary election represents a significant turning point in the political landscape of Albania, marking the transition from a one-party socialist system to a multi-party democratic system.
Background and evolution
[edit]Following the conclusion of World War II, Albania was transformed into a communist state under the leadership of Enver Hoxha. His regime exhibited a strict adherence to Marxist-Leninist ideology and intense nationalism that emphasised self-reliance and isolationism. Hoxha implemented agrarian reforms, nationalised the industry, and established a centrally planned economy. These measures resulted in significant social changes, notably in education and healthcare; however, pervasive state control led to the repression of political dissent, the suppression of civil liberties, and widespread human rights violations. The regime's isolationist policies rendered Albania increasingly detached from the international community. After a split with the Soviet Union in the early 1960s due to ideological differences, Albania sought assistance from China, while maintaining a non-aligned stance during the Cold War. This dependence on external powers further entrenched authoritarianism and suppressed potential reforms or liberalisation.
After Hoxha's death in 1985, Ramiz Alia succeeded him as the leader of the Party of Labour (PKSh).[1] His leadership, marked by a gradual recognition of the necessity for reform, remained constrained by the party's adherence to Marxist-Leninist principles. In the late 1980s, escalating economic difficulties, exacerbated by systemic inefficiencies and international isolation, began to undermine the ruling party's legitimacy.[1] As the Eastern European landscape shifted with the Revolutions of 1989 in neighboring countries, public discontent in Albania intensified, leading to widespread student protests and demands for change.[1] Due to the increasing pressure, the Socialist Party (PS), formerly the PKSh, found itself compelled to initiate a series of political reforms aimed at fostering a open political landscape. On 12 December 1990, a coalition of students and intellectuals, including notable figures such as Sali Berisha, Neritan Ceka, Azem Hajdari, Arben Imami, Aleksandër Meksi and Gramoz Pashko, founded the Democratic Party (PD), marking the emergence of the first independent opposition party in Albania.[2]
Subsequently, the Presidium of the People's Assembly approved Decree No. 7443 on 18 December, establishing a multi-party system in Albania.[3][4] This led to the formation of several political parties, including the Democratic Party, which became the largest opposition party, representing the younger generation with a nationwide presence in both northern and southern Albania.[4][5] The Republican Party (RP), established in January 1991, primarily comprised urban intellectuals, many of whom were ex-communists, focusing mainly on the southern regions.[4][6] The Agrarian Party (AP), founded in Vlorë in February 1991, dedicated itself to rural issues and rapidly grew in membership, while the Ecological Party (EP), the smallest of the new parties, emerged in January 1991, influenced by the European green movement but primarily active in Elbasan and Lushnjë.[4][5]
Electoral process
[edit]Election date
[edit]Amid the revolutions in Albania, the government enacted a decree on 18 December 1990 to implement a multi-party system in response to increasing pressures from several factions.[7] The elections were initially scheduled for 10 February 1991, but opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Party (DP), criticised this timeline, advocating for a postponement until May to enable more effective campaign organisation and necessary amendments to the electoral law. The government first dismissed these requests, the PD intensified its activities by organising significant public demonstrations and launching its own press, while also threatening to boycott the upcoming elections. To ease tensions, the government released numerous political prisoners. Following a miners' strike that reinforced calls for postponement, the election date was shifted to March.[7] This decision, communicated on 16 January, resulted from extensive negotiations between President Alia and PD leader Berisha. The PD advocated for the creation of an independent opposition press, the complete release of all political detainees, and revisions to the electoral law to ensure that opposition representatives were included in election commissions. Ultimately, the government yielded to many of these demands, thereby facilitating the elections scheduled for 31 March 1991.
Parties and coalitions
[edit]The 1991 election was characterised by the participation of multiple political entities, comprising six recognised parties and five additional organisations, which encompessed the ruling party, front organisations, and opposition parties.[8] The ruling Party of Labor (PKSh) maintained an authoritarian stance despite political changes.[8][9] Key front organizations, such as the Democratic Front (FD), the Union of Women, the Union of Youth (BRPSh), the Professional Trade Unions (BPSh), and the Committee of Veterans (KKVLAPSh), previously facilitated the dissemination of PKSh ideology and mobilised support for the regime.[8][10] Their candidates often appeared on ballots under various endorsements, reinforcing the perception of their role as extensions of the ruling party.[6] The opposition parties comprised the Democratic Party (PD), the Republican Party (RP), the Agrarian Party (AP), the Ecological Party (EP), and Omonia, which represented the Greek minority in Albania.[8] The PD emerged as the leading opposition force, emphasising democratic governance, economic reform, and integration with Western institutions.[6][11] Its leader, Gramoz Pashko, proposed a transformative agenda designed to challenge the ruling party's local authority and strengthen legislative of Albania.[6]
Despite their differing platforms, both the ruling party and opposition parties committed to political, economic, and social reform, endorsing democratic principles, human rights, a market economy, and the rule of law.[12][11] A shared aspiration for Kosovo reunification existed, although strategies for achieving this goal varied significantly.[6] The RP positioned itself as a moderate alternative, advocating for a gradual transition to a market economy and cautious privatisation, arguing that the Albanians were unprepared for abrupt changes.[6] The BPSh claimed independence from the ruling party, calling for better wages and working conditions while supporting government crackdowns on dissent.[6] The status of Omonia sparked debate about its autonomy, with differing views on whether it was a legitimate force or an extension of the ruling party.[13] The EP focused on environmental issues, particularly in industrial sectors, while the AP sought to represent agricultural workers but had limited electoral influence.[5] The PD employed symbolic gestures, particularly the V sign, to display its commitment to democratic transformation.[11] This electoral event marked a pivotal period in Albania's political evolution, highlighting the complex interactions among various political forces in a society undergoing significant transformation.
Candidates and nominations
[edit]The 1991 election was contested by a total of 1,074 registered candidates.[14] The candidate distribution was as follows: the Democratic Party fielded 250 candidates; the Party of Labor presented 243 candidates; the Republican Party nominated 165 candidates; the Democratic Front included 122 candidates; the Union of Women contributed 94 candidates; the Union of Youth also fielded 94 candidates; the Agrarian Party had 37 candidates; the Committee of Veterans nominated 7 candidates; and there were 17 independent candidates.[14] The electoral process commenced with candidate proposals, requiring at least two candidates per electoral race.[15] Eligibility mandated that candidates be citizens permanently residing in Albania. However, consistent with practices in one-party communist regimes, residency in the specific electoral zone was not required. The only restriction was that individuals could contest for only one seat.[15] Candidates could be nominated through three methods: first, endorsement by a registered political party; second, running as independent candidates within a designated electoral zone, requiring the collection of 300 signatures from eligible voters; and third, the option for voters to write in names of candidates not formally listed on the ballot. The nominations had to be submitted to the election commission no later than 15 days before the election, particularly by 16 March 1991. Candidates were not required to reside in the zones they aspired to represent, reflecting characteristics similar in one-party communist structures.[15]
Local authorities were responsible for compiling voter registration lists, which were to be finalised and publicly accessible by 6 March.[15] Candidates could register until 15 days prior to the election and withdraw their candidacy before polling began. Political parties were permitted to nominate replacement candidates up to seven days before the election. The electoral legislation mandated that all political organisations authorised to field candidates publicly disclose their platforms.[15] Party platforms were prohibited from espousing fascist, racist, or terrorist ideologies and must avoid ideas derived from organisations deemed traitorous during the Albanian Liberation Movement.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Elsie 2010, p. lxviii
- ^ OSCE 1998, p. 79.
- ^ NRIIA 1991, p. 4.
- ^ a b c d Szajkowski, Bogdan. "The Albanian election of 1991". Science Direct. Archived from the original on 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ a b c NRIIA 1991, p. 11.
- ^ a b c d e f g NRIIA 1991, p. 10.
- ^ a b "Albania: Human Rights Development". Human Rights Watch (HRW). Archived from the original on 7 June 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d CSCE 1991, p. 10.
- ^ NRIIA 1991, p. 20.
- ^ CSCE 1991, p. 12.
- ^ a b c CSCE 1991, p. 13.
- ^ NRIIA 1991, p. 9.
- ^ CSCE 1991, p. 14.
- ^ a b NRIIA 1991, p. 16.
- ^ a b c d e CSCE 1991, p. 18.
- ^ NRIIA 1991, p. 39.
Sources
[edit]- The 1991 Elections in Albania (PDF). National Republican Institute for International Affairs (NRIIA). 1991. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- "The Elections in Albania March-April 1991" (PDF). Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE). April 1991. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 September 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- Elsie, Robert (2010). Historical Dictionary of Albania. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9-780-8-1087-3803. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
- "Transitional Justice in Albania". Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 30 January 2020. Archived from the original on 21 July 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.