Democratic Party of Albania

Democratic Party of Albania
Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë
Leader Lulzim Basha
Leader of the Parliamentary Group Edi Paloka
Slogan Ne jemi ndryshimi, përpara!
(We are the change, forward!)[1]
Founded 12 December 1990
Newspaper Rilindja Demokratike
Youth wing Forumi Rinor i Partise Demokratike
Ideology Conservatism[2]
Liberal conservatism[3]
Pro-Europeanism[3]
Political position Centre-right[3]
International affiliation Centrist Democrat International,
International Democrat Union
European affiliation European People's Party (Observer)
National Assembly
49 / 140
Municipality
30 / 65
Communes
173 / 309
Website
http://www.pd.al/
Politics of Albania
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Elections
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The Democratic Party of Albania (Albanian: Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë, PD) is a conservative[2][4] political party in Albania. The party has been the leading party in the governing coalition since the 2005 parliamentary elections. It is an observer member of the European People's Party (EPP) and a full member of the International Democrat Union and Centrist Democrat International.[5][6][7] Rilindja Demokratike is the party's official newspaper.[8]

History

The party was founded on 12 December 1990 by Avdyl Matoshi, Azem Hajdari, Sali Berisha and Gramoz Pashko.[9] Arben Imami, Edmond Budina, Eduard Selami, Genc Ruli, Merita Zaloshnja and Aleksandër Meksi also took part in the early activities of the party. ıt was the first opposition party after they were legalized.

The party came to power in 1992 after winning the 1992 parliamentary election under the leadership of Sali Berisha and Aleksander Meksi and ruled until 1997. The government resigned in 1997 following a scandal over massive corruption during which a civil war nearly broke out. It is part of the Union for Victory (Bashkimi për Fitoren) coalition, which received 37.1 percent of the vote in the 2001 elections and 46 members of parliament although the elections were truly unfair. In the July 2005 parliamentary elections, the Democratic Party won 56 of the 140 seats and its allies won 18 under the call Time for Changes (Koha per Ndryshim). Two other parties also joined the new coalition (PAA of the left wing & PBDNJ of the Greek minority, with 4 and 2 seats, respectively). This meant that with a combined total of 79 seats, the Democratic Party and its allies were able to form a government with Sali Berisha becoming Prime Minister. One of his priorities was Albanian integration to NATO, an objective he accomplished in 2009 when Albania and Croatia were accepted as members.

Headquarters

Old headquarter of Democratic Party of Albania

The party's headquarters is located in the center of Tirana, 50m from the Albanian parliament. The Rilindja Demokratike newspaper shares the building with the Democratic Party.

Election Results

Year Votes % Seats Position Government
1991 720,948 38.7 75/250 2nd Opposition
1992 1,046,193 57.3 92/140 1st Coalition
1996 914,218 55.2 122/140 1st Coalition
1997 315,677 24.1 29/155 2nd Opposition
2001 494,272 36.9 32/140 2nd Opposition
2005 602,066 44.1 56/140 1st Coalition
2009 610,463 40.18 68/140 2nd Coalition
2013 528,373 30.63 50/140 2nd Opposition

Chairmen of PD

Person Period
Sali Berisha 1991 – 1992
Eduard Selami 1992 – 1995
Tritan Shehu (acting) 1995
Tritan Shehu 1995 – 1997
Genc Pollo (Interem) 1997
Sali Berisha 1997 – 2013
Lulzim Basha 2013 –

2009 national elections

After the Albanian parliament elections of 2009 the Democrats won 67 MPs. The current list as of September 2011:[10][11]

2013 national elections

After the Albanian parliament elections of 2013 the Democrats won 45 MPs. The current list as of September 2013:

  1. Alban Zeneli
  2. Albana Vokshi
  3. Albina Deda
  4. Aldo Bumçi
  5. Arben Imami
  6. Arben Ristani
  7. Ardian Turku
  8. Astrit Patozi
  9. Astrit Veliaj
  10. Bedri Hoxha
  11. Besnik Dusha
  12. Dashamir Shehi
  13. Edi Paloka
  14. Edmond Spaho
  15. Eduard Halimi
  16. Eduard Selami
  17. Eleina Qirici
  18. Flamur Noka
  19. Florion Mima
  20. Genc Pollo
  21. Genc Ruli
  22. Gent Strazimiri
  23. Gerti Bogdani
  24. Gjergji Papa
  25. Gjovalin Bzheta
  26. Gjovalin Kadeli
  27. Halim Kosova
  28. Helidon Bushati
  29. Igli Cara
  30. Jorida Tabaku
  31. Jozefina Topalli
  32. Kastriot Islami
  33. Keltis Kruja
  34. Kozma Dashi
  35. Liljana Elmazi
  36. Luçiano Boçi
  37. Majlinda Bregu
  38. Mesila Doda
  39. Myqerem Tafaj
  40. Oerd Bylykbashi
  41. Ridvan Bode
  42. Roland Keta
  43. Sali Berisha
  44. Sherefedin Shehu
  45. Sokol Olldashi
  46. Voltana Ademi

References

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Democratic Party
  1. ↑ http://top-channel.tv/artikull.php?id=249353&ref=ml
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Parties and Elections in Europe: The database about parliamentary elections and political parties in Europe, by Wolfram Nordsieck
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "The Albanian Electoral Systems since 1990" (PDF). Albanian Elections Observatory Brief (1). 19 April 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  4. ↑ Paul G. Lewis (2000). Political Parties in Post-Communist Eastern Europe. Routledge. pp. 53–. ISBN 978-0-415-20182-7. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  5. ↑ "Key Political Parties in Albania". Balkaninsight.
  6. ↑ "Democratic Party of Albania". EPP.
  7. ↑ "Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë". Eurofactbook.
  8. ↑ "Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë". PD.AL.
  9. ↑ Doder, Dusko (20 January 1991). "At Last, Albanians Feel Winds of Change". The Chicago Tribune (Tirana). Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Parliamentary group". pd.al.
  11. ↑ "List of elected members". Albanian parliament.

External links

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