1991 Albanian Constitutional Assembly election in the context of Democratic Front of Albania


1991 Albanian Constitutional Assembly election in the context of Democratic Front of Albania

⭐ Core Definition: 1991 Albanian Constitutional Assembly election

Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 31 March 1991 to elect the 250 representatives of the People's Assembly. The first round of the elections took place on this date, followed by a second round on 7 April and a third round on 14 April. These elections represent a critical juncture in Albania's political evolution, transitioning from one party system to a multi-party liberal democratic system. Following the death of Enver Hoxha in 1985, his successor, Ramiz Alia, encountered escalating economic difficulties and social unrest, which were intensified by the broader geopolitical transformations occurring during the Revolutions of 1989. The foundation of the Democratic Party in December 1990 served as a catalyst for legislative reforms aimed at dismantling the People's Socialist Republic.

The elections yielded a voter turnout of 98.92%, with 1,963,568 ballots cast to elect the representatives from 250 designated electoral districts. The ruling Party of Labor secured 162 seats, thus failing to achieve a two-thirds majority necessary for constitutional amendments, while the Democratic Party garnered significant support, especially in urban areas. The electoral process comprised six recognised parties, including the Agrarian Party, Democratic Front and Republican Party, along with various independent candidates, between democratic aspirations and residual communist elements. Tensions were heightened in the lead-up to the elections, as the Democrats organised several demonstrations demanding electoral integrity. Post-election, violent protests erupted in Shkodër, triggered by the unexpected electoral outcomes, resulting in significant civil unrest and fatalities, which underscored the prevailing political instability.

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1991 Albanian Constitutional Assembly election in the context of Fall of communism in Albania

The fall of communism in Albania, sometimes called "De-Enverization", was the last such event in Europe outside the Soviet Union, started in December 1990 with student demonstrations in the capital, Tirana, although protests started in January that year in other cities like Shkodër and Kavajë. The Central Committee of the communist Party of Labour of Albania allowed political pluralism on 11 December and the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party, was founded the next day. March 1991 elections left the Party of Labour in power, but a general strike and urban opposition led to the formation of a "stability government" that included non-communists. Albania's former communists were routed in elections in March 1992 amid economic collapse and social unrest, with the Democratic Party winning most seats and its party head, Sali Berisha, becoming president.

View the full Wikipedia page for Fall of communism in Albania
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