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Albania
At stake: Assembly of the Republic
Background
(Angus Reid Global Scan) - In 1944, as World War II drew to a close, Envir Hoxha became the de-facto leader of Albania—a post he would retain for 41 years. Under Hoxha, the communist nation became isolated from the rest of the European continent.
Ramiz Alia succeeded Hoxha in 1985. Four years later, as communist rule began to collapse in Eastern Europe, Alia ordered changes to the nation's economic system.
In 1991, the Communist Party (PKSh) elected 169 members to the 250-seat legislative branch. The following year, the Democratic Party of Albania (PDSh) formed the government, with Sali Berisha as president and Aleksander Meksi as prime minister.
In 1993, several former communist leaders—including Alia and former prime minister Fatos Nano—were jailed on corruption charges. A new constitution, which critics said would have placed too much power on the president, was rejected by voters in a 1994 referendum. The Democrats would earn a new term in office in 1996. The election was deemed fraudulent by the opposition.
In 1997, the collapse of a pyramid investment scheme led to widespread government demonstrations, as thousands of Albanians saw their savings virtually wiped out. More than 1,500 people died in the ensuing unrest, as the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) dropped by 8.0 per cent. The Democratic government resigned, and Nano—who had been released from prison—took over as prime minister.
In 1999, a bombing campaign in Yugoslavia backed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forced close to 500,000 Kosovo ethnic Albanians to seek refuge in Albania.
In the 2001 election, the Socialists secured 73 seats in the 140-member Assembly of the Republic. The Democrats—under the Union for Victory (BF) banner—finished second with 46 lawmakers.
The Socialist Party of Albania (PSSh) has been in charge of the government since the 1997 financial crisis, surviving in the face of several internal disagreements. Pandeli Majko took over from Nano in October 1998, but was substituted one year later by Ilir Meta. In February 2002, Majko became prime minister again, but Nano took over for the third time in July 2002.
The European Union (EU) and Albania have signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement, but implementation has been slow. According to a March 2004 EU report, Albanian authorities have "fallen short of expectations in the key areas of organized crime, corruption, judicial system and public administration reform."
2005 Assembly of the Republic Election
On Apr. 25, Albanian president Alfred Moisiu announced that the legislative ballot would take place on Jul. 3. Moisiu said the election would be "extremely important for Albania's European integration and development."
On Apr. 27, the 16 contending parties signed an "ethics pact." Moisiu said the agreement was a "code of conduct" that confirmed "the maturity of the political class." The pact obliges parties to avoid incitement of violence or hatred, calls for complete disclosure of campaign expenditures, and bars incumbents from relying on "public administration personnel" for political gain.
The election was widely regarded as a test for Albanian democratic structures. The EU had warned the country to steer clear of the problems that plagued previous ballots, such as unexplained delays in the publication of final results.
On May 5, the Socialist Party of Albania (PSSh) presented its platform in Tirana. The Socialists are seeking a third consecutive term in government. Current prime minister Fatos Nano said the party would focus on improving five key areas: education, health, the economy, social services and infrastructure.
On May 21, the opposition Democratic Party of Albania (PDSh) launched its campaign. PDSh leader and former president Sali Berisha expressed confidence in a victory, saying, "Albanians have decided to replace the system of corruption with the system of democracy, the rule of law." Berisha has vowed to fight human trafficking and organized crime.
At least two other parties were expected to earn seats in the Assembly. Former Socialist prime minister Ilir Meta now commands the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI). Leka Zogu—the son of former Albanian monarch Zog I—joined the race as the leader of the Movement for National Development (LZK).
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) committed 400 election observers to monitor the legislative ballot. Close to 3 million voters were expected to take part in the election.
On Jun. 1, in an interview released by WorldNetDaily, Nano dismissed the chances of the Democratic leader, saying, "Berisha is the past. (...) Berisha is not tolerant, not used to the rules of democracy. He is very capable of abusing state authority with the philosophy of a one-man regime. We have matured past Berisha."
On Jun. 8, Council of Europe secretary-general Terry Davis expressed satisfaction with the pre-election atmosphere, saying, "I have been given assurances by Fatos Nano and Sali Berisha that Albanians will vote freely and democratically, and that the whole process will take place in accordance with international standards."
On Jun. 16, Moisu appealed to all political parties to abide by the code of conduct, calling the document "a new step and a good effort to introduce new ethics in Albanian politics, which is really necessary. New things are usually hard to accept and implement. However, lately we have witnessed the escalation in the rough and offensive language used in the campaign."
A late June poll by Gallup International released by the MJAFT Movement put support for the Democrats at 35 per cent, with the Socialists a close second at 34 per cent.
In June, LSI deputy leader Pellumb Xhufi said the party would be willing to participate in a coalition government with the Socialists if someone other than Nano becomes prime minister.
Voting went on without any major problems on Jul. 3. Moisu said the ballot would effectively be "Albania's greatest challenge and chance to end a hard transition from communism. (...) If we show our ability to really hold free, honest and democratic elections, we shall all be winners and Albania will be a winner."
Central Election Commission (CEC) spokesman Erton Sinani said the election had seen "a very good turnout, considering that the first seven hours are usually the slowest."
Berisha addressed supporters, claiming his party had achieved a "historic victory." Nano dismissed the early celebration, saying, "I am sorry Berisha doesn't understand that a bigger turnout does not favour him."
An exit poll of 15 districts released by Klan TV gave the Democratic Party of Albania (PDSh) the lead in 11 constituencies, with the Socialist Party of Albania (PSSh) ahead in the remaining four. Police reported that an election official had been shot dead.
On Jul. 4, the OSCE preliminary report said the ballot "complied only partially with international commitments and standards for democratic elections" and lamented "a few violent incidents, one fatal, (which) cast a shadow over the process." Sinani declared that the trend was "for the Democratic Party" after five per cent of all cast ballots had been tallied.
On Jul. 5, Sinani said that vote counters in 15 of the country's 100 counting centres had left their posts before all ballot boxes had been opened, saying, "They were following party orders from both sides." Albania's two main parties exchanged allegations of outside interference.
On Jul. 6, the CEC released partial tallies, with the Democrats leading in 55 of the 100 constituency seats, with 42 going to the governing Socialists. The Democrats began discussions on a possible coalition government with the Republican Party of Albania (PRSh).
On Jul. 8, Moisiu urged for calm, declaring, "Albania needs stability and rapid democratic progress, and that is why I appeal to all the political forces that in compliance to the final results of the elections and to the known democratic norms to engage in the founding of the parliament and the new government. The citizens have spoken already. They expect their will to be respected."
On Jul. 15, the CEC released the results from the proportional representation election. The Republican Party of Albania (PRSh) secured 11 of the 40 seats at stake, followed by the Social Democratic Party (PSdSh) with seven.
On Jul. 22, the Democrats completed the first round of coalition negotiations. A statement from the party expressed "satisfaction" with the talks, which involved the Republicans, the Christian Democratic Party (PDK), the New Democratic Party (PDR) and the Unity for Human Rights Party (PBDNJ).
On Jul. 26, the CEC announced that a re-vote would take place in late August in three constituencies, after irregularities were discovered.
On Aug. 21, Albanian adults in three constituencies participated in the partial re-vote. On Aug. 22, the PDSh declared victory in two of the contested seats.
On Sept. 1, the CEC released official results, giving the Democrats 56 seats in the 140-member Assembly. Nano conceded defeat and said he would tender his resignation "to distance myself from electoral violence and illegitimate winners. Without deep electoral reform, we cannot have free and fair elections."
On Sept. 3, Moisiu officially asked Berisha to form a government. Two days later, Berisha presented his cabinet, featuring interior minister Sokol Olldashi, finance minister Ridvan Bode, foreign minister Besnik Mustafaj and defence minister Fatmir Mediu.
On Sept. 10, the Assembly of the Republic confirmed the new government in an 84-53 vote. On Sept. 11, Berisha became the country's eleventh prime minister since the communist era ended.
Turnout was tabled at 53 per cent.
Political Players
President: Alfred Moisiu
Prime minister: Sali Berisha - PDSh
The president is elected to a five-year term by the Assembly of the Republic.
Legislative Branch: The Kuvendi i Republikes se Shqiperise (Assembly of the Republic of Albania) has 140 members, elected to four-year terms. 100 members are elected in single-seat constituencies, and 40 members are elected from multi-member lists. A party must receive 2.5 per cent of the vote—and a coalition 4 per cent—to elect list members.
Results of Last Election:
Assembly of the Republic - Jul. 3, 2005
Const. | List | Total | |
Democratic Party of Albania (PDSh) | 56 | -- | 56 |
Socialist Party of Albania (PSSh) | 42 | -- | 42 |
Republican Party of Albania (PRSh) | -- | 11 | 11 |
Social Democratic Party (PSdSh) | -- | 7 | 7 |
Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI) | 1 | 4 | 5 |
New Democratic Party (PDR) | -- | 4 | 4 |
Environmentalist Agrarian Party (PAA) | -- | 4 | 4 |
Democratic Alliance Party (PAD) | -- | 3 | 3 |
Unity for Human Rights Party (PBDNJ) | -- | 2 | 2 |
Christian Democratic Party (PDK) | -- | 2 | 2 |
Social Democracy Party (PDS) | -- | 2 | 2 |
Liberal Democratic Union (BLD) | -- | 1 | 1 |
Independent | 1 | -- | 1 |
