Politics of Albania

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Albania

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Politics of Albania takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament, the Assembly of the Republic of Albania (Kuvendi i Republikës së Shqipërisë). Since 1991, the introduction of pluralism, the party system is dominated by the Democratic Party of Albania and the socialist (post-communist) Socialist Party of Albania.

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[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders
Office Name Party Since
President Bamir Topi 20 July 2007
Prime Minister Sali Berisha PD 3 September 2005
Other government parties PR

The head of state in Albania is the President of the Republic. The President is elected to a 5-year term by the Assembly of the Republic of Albania by secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority of the votes of all deputies. The next election will run in the year 2012. The current President of the Republic is Bamir Topi.

The President has the power to guarantee observation of the constitution and all laws, act as commander in chief of the armed forces, exercise the duties of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania when the Assembly is not in session, and appoint the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister).

Executive power rests with the Council of Ministers (cabinet). The Chairman of the Council (Prime Minister) is appointed by the President; ministers are nominated by the President on the basis of the Prime Minister's recommendation. The People's Assembly must give final approval of the composition of the Council. The Council is responsible for carrying out both foreign and domestic policies. It directs and controls the activities of the ministries and other state organs.

[edit] Legislative branch

The Assembly of the Republic of Albania (Kuvendi i Republikës së Shqipërisë) is the lawmaking body in Albania. There are 140 deputies in the Assembly, of which 100 are directly elected by an absolute majority of the voters, and 40 are chosen by their parties on the basis of proportional representation. The President of the Assembly (or Speaker) has two deputies and chairs the Assembly. There are 15 permanent commissions, or committees. Parliamentary elections are held at least every 4 years.

The Assembly has the power to decide the direction of domestic and foreign policy; approve or amend the constitution; declare war on another state; ratify or annul international treaties; elect the President of the Republic, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General and his or her deputies; and control the activity of state radio and television, state news agency, and other official information media.

[edit] Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Albania. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Albania.
e•d Summary of the 3 July 2005 Assembly of Albania election results
Parties Votes PR % Seats
Constituencies PR Total
Democratic Party of Albania (Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë) 104,796 7.67 56 0 56
Socialist Party of Albania (Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë) 121,412 8.89 42 0 42
ALDM-National Front (Partia Balli Kombëtar Shqiptar) 457,143 33,46 0 18 18
ALDM-Republican Party of Albania (Partia Republikane e Shqipërisë) - 11 11
ALDM-New Democratic Party (Partia Demokrate e Re) - 4 4
ALDM-Christian Democratic Party of Albania (Partia Demokristiane e Shqipërisë) - 2 2
ALDM-Liberal Democratic Union (Bashkimi Liberal Demokrat) - 1 1
ALDM-Democratic National Front Party (Partia Ballik Kombëtar Demokrat) - - -
ALDM-Albanian Democratic Union Party (Partia e Bashkimit Demokrat Shqiptar) - - -
ALDM-Human Rights Liberation Movement (Lëvizja për të Drejtat dhe Liritë e Njeriut) - - -
Social Democratic Party of Albania (Partia Socialdemokrate e Shqipërisë) 174,103 12.74 0 7 7
Socialist Movement for Integration (Lëvizja Socialiste për Intigrim) 114,798 8.40 1 4 5
Enviromentalist Agrarian Party (Partia Agrare Ambientaliste) 89,635 6.56 - 4 4
Democratic Alliance Party (Partia Aleanca Demokratike) 65,093 4.76 - 3 3
Social Democracy Party of Albania (Partia Demokracia Sociale e Shqipërisë) 57,998 4.25 - 2 2
Unity for Human Rights Party (Partia Bashkimi për të Drejtat e Njeriut) 56,403 4.13 - 2 2
Non-partisans     1 1
Total 1,366,226 100.0 100 40 140
Source: OSCE The candidates of the Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Welfare (Aliansa për Liri, Drejtësi dhe Mirëqenie;;, Republican Party of Albania and allies) supported the candidates of the PDS in the constituencies, as did some of the informal PS allie with the PS candidates. Given the number of irregularities in the first ballot, re-elections were held in two constituencies in Shkodra and Lushnja on 21 August. These results have been included.
Main article: Albania general election, 2005

[edit] Judicial branch

The court system consists of a Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation, appeals courts, and district courts. The Constitutional Court comprises nine members appointed by the People's Assembly for maximum 9-year terms. The Constitutional Court interprets the constitution, determines the constitutionality of laws, and resolves disagreements between local and federal authorities. The remaining courts are each divided into three jurisdictions: criminal, civil, and military. The Court of Cassation is the highest court of appeal and consists of 11 members appointed by the People's Assembly and serving 7-year terms. The President of the Republic chairs the High Council of Justice (HCJ) charged with appointing and dismissing other judges. The HCJ was expanded in late 1997 to comprise 13 members from among the various branches of government.

A college of three judges renders Albanian court verdicts; there is no jury trial, although the college is sometimes referred to in the Albanian press as the "jury."


[edit] International Organization Participation

BSEC, CE, CEI, EAPC, EBRD, ECE, FAO, IAEA, IBRD, ICC, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, NATO (as of 2009) OIC, OPCW, OSCE, PFP, SECI, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMIG, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO (applicant).

[edit] Administrative Divisions

Albania is divided into 12 counties or prefectures. Counties are appointed by the Council of Ministers. Each county comprises several districts (Rreths), of which there are 36. Each district has its own local administration and governor. District governors are elected by the District Council, whose members are selected from party lists made public to voters before local elections, on the basis of proportional representation. City mayors are directly elected by voters, while city councils are chosen by proportional representation.

Districts (rrethe, singular - rreth) and 1 municipality* (bashki):

Note: Administrative divisions have the same names as their administrative centers (exceptions have the administrative center name following in parentheses).

See also: List of cities in Albania.

[edit] External links

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