1925 Albanian presidential election

Last updated November 07, 2024

The 1925 Albanian presidential election marked the first presidential election held on 31 January 1925 in Albania, electing the first president of Albania. The incumbent prime minister Ahmet Zogu won the election in a vote conducted by the parliament of Albania. Zogu was sworn in for his first seven-year term on 1 February 1925. It marked the first and last presidential election before Zogu was proclaimed the King of Albania on 1 September 1928. A second presidential election in Albania wouldn't occur until the fall of communism in Albania in 1991.^[1]

Background

Following centuries of Ottoman domination beginning in the late 14th century, the Albanian Renaissance emerged in the 19th century, catalysed by broader European nationalist movements.^[2] Key intellectuals and political figures, particularly members of the League of Prizren, advocated for national unity and sovereignty.^[3] Amid the Balkan Wars, leaders declared independence from the Ottoman Empire on 28 November 1912, in Vlorë of southern Albania.^[4] The subsequent Conference of London recognised this independence but controversially limited territorial integrity, igniting tensions with Greece and Serbia, which sought to expand their borders at Albania's expense.^[4] Despite these challenges, the nation was acknowledged as an independent principality; however, it faced instability characterised by frequent governmental changes and political factionalism, often influenced by external powers.^[5] The Congress of Lushnjë in 1921 represented a pivotal step toward political stability, as representatives aimed to address national concerns and unify the fragmented political landscape.^[5] During this period, Ahmet Zogu emerged as a prominent political and military figure, gradually consolidating power. His influence increased as he navigated the complexities of governance, culminating in his election as president in 1925.^[5]

Constitutional development

The aftermath of the Congress of Lushnjë marked the beginning of a significant era in Albania's constitutional evolution, initiating the establishment of the nation as a parliamentary republic.^[6] This initial framework established essential governmental institutions, which included the high state council, a bicameral legislature, and an elected collegiate head of state.^[7]^[8] A subsequent phase in this constitutional development was heralded by the enactment of the basic statute in 1925 by the national assembly, which reaffirmed Albania's designation as a parliamentary republic.^[8] During this period, a critical event unfolded with the emergence of Fan Noli's government, which represented a liberal coalition that successfully displaced Ahmet Zogu's administration in June 1924.^[9] Noli's administration sought to implement democratic reforms but encountered considerable resistance from various factions.^[10] Within a matter of months, Zogu orchestrated a coup d'état, effectively restoring his authority over the government.^[9] In the wake of his reinstatement, Zogu convened a constitutional assembly, which formally declared Albania a republic on 21 January 1925.^[9] The drafted constitution was informed by contemporary democratic principles and reinstated the presidency, alongside a bicameral legislative body composed of the senate and the chamber of deputies, as well as independent judicial institutions.^[8] This governance framework was significantly influenced by modern democratic models, particularly the American system.^[11]

Related Research Articles

Theofan Stilian Noli, known as Fan Noli, was an Albanian-American writer, scholar, diplomat, politician, historian, orator, Archbishop, Metropolitan and founder of the Albanian Orthodox Church and the Albanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America who served as Prime Minister and regent of Albania in 1924 during the June Revolution.

The prime minister of Albania, officially the prime minister of the Republic of Albania, is the head of government of Albania. The office of the prime minister is a core institution in the politics of Albania formed after the Albanian declaration of independence on 28 November 1912. Since that time, the nation has navigated a dynamic political evolution spanning distinct periods, encompassing a monarchy, a communist regime and the eventual democratic order. In 1912, Ismail Qemali was inaugurated as the first prime minister of Albania, guiding the nation toward sovereignty amidst the complex conditions in the Balkans. In 1944, Enver Hoxha implemented a radical change in government, transforming Albania into an authoritarian and isolationist communist regime. In 1991, the nation transitioned into a democracy that marked a notable shift, when Fatos Nano emerged as the first post-communist prime minister of Albania.

The president of Albania, officially styled the President of the Republic of Albania, is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the military and the representative of the unity of the Albanian people.

Xhafer bey Ypi was an Albanian politician.

Luigj Gurakuqi, also called Louis Gurakuchi, was an Albanian writer and politician. He was an important figure of the Albanian National Awakening and was honored with the People's Hero of Albania medal.

Omer Nishani was an Albanian medical doctor and political figure involved first in the struggle against Ahmet Zogu in the 1920s and 1930s, and then in the struggle against the fascist occupation of Albania during the 1942–44 period, becoming Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of the People's Republic of Albania in 1946 and serving in this position until 1953.

The present Constitution of the Republic of Albania was adopted by the Parliament of Albania on 21 October 1998 and certified by presidential decree on 28 November 1998, following a public referendum which approved the new Constitution. It is split up over many different acts. The document succeeded the 1976 Constitution, originally adopted at the creation of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania on 28 December 1976 and heavily amended on 29 April 1991.

Pandeli Evangjeli was an Albanian politician who served as the seventh prime minister of Albania briefly in 1921 and then from 1930 to 1935. He was the first Eastern Orthodox Christian to head the Albanian government.

The Principality of Albania was a short-lived monarchy in Albania, headed by Wilhelm, Prince of Albania, that lasted from the Treaty of London of 1913 which ended the First Balkan War, through the invasions of Albania during World War I and the subsequent disputes over Albanian independence during the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, until 1925, when the monarchy was abolished and the Albanian Republic declared.

Bedri Pejani was 20th century Albanian politician. During World War II, he was one of the founders of the Second League of Prizren.

Mehmed Konica, was an Albanian politician. He served three times as the Foreign Minister of Albania. He was the brother of Albanian writer Faik Konica.

Parliamentary elections were held 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 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 Committee for the National Defence of Kosovo was an Albanian organization founded in Shkodër on 1 May 1918. It mainly consisted of the political exiles from Kosovo and was led by Hoxha Kadri from Pristina. It had existed in looser form since May 1915.

The Ministry of Finances and Economy is a department of the Albanian Government, responsible for matters relating to economic policy, the central government budget, taxes, banking, security and insurance, international economic work, central, regional and local government.

Constituent Assembly elections were held in Albania in November and December 1923, with the second round taking place on 27 December.

Aqif Pasha Biçaku mostly known as Aqif Pashë Elbasani was an Ottoman Albanian political figure in the Sanjak of Elbasan and after the Young Turk Revolution became an activist for the Albanian national cause.

Hysen Vrioni, sometime referred to as Hysein Vrioni was an Albanian politician during the 1920s and 1930s.

KONARE or Komiteti Nacional Revolucionar was a left-wing revolutionary committee of the Albanian political émigrés in Europe, from 1925 till mid-30s. Its central political figure was Bishop Fan Noli.

Parliamentary elections were held in Albania in April and May 1925.

The June Revolution also known as the Antibourgeois Democratic Revolution was a revolt backed by the parliamentary opposition to the Zog I government, following the 1923 Albanian parliamentary election.

References

↑ "1933 Ahmed Zogu: King Zog Tells his Story". albanianhistory.net. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
↑ Elsie 2010 , pp. liv–lv
↑ Elsie 2010 , p. lvii
1 2 Elsie 2010 , p. lix
1 2 3 Elsie 2010 , p. lx
↑ Alidemaj & Haxhiu 2023, p. 586.
↑ Elsie 2010 , p. 91
1 2 3 Alidemaj & Haxhiu 2023, p. 588.
1 2 3 Elsie 2010 , p. xxxv
↑ Elsie 2010 , p. 331
↑ Alidemaj & Haxhiu 2023, pp. 588–590.

Sources

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.
Luarasi, Aleks (May 1997). "Legal and Institutional Reform in Albania after the Democratic Revolution (1991 –1997)" (PDF). North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
Alidemaj, Avni; Haxhiu, Sadik (4 September 2023). "The Development of Constitutionalism in Albania (1912-1938)". Historia Constitucional. 1 (24): 585–602. doi:10.17811/hc.v0i24.882. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 23 October 2024.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: ref duplicates default (link)

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[DHG-1] "1933 Ahmed Zogu: King Zog Tells his Story". albanianhistory.net. Retrieved 26 June 2023.

[2] Elsie 2010 , pp. liv–lv

[3] Elsie 2010 , p. lvii

[lix-4] 1 2 Elsie 2010 , p. lix

[lx-5] 1 2 3 Elsie 2010 , p. lx

[FOOTNOTEAlidemajHaxhiu2023586-6] Alidemaj & Haxhiu 2023, p. 586.

[7] Elsie 2010 , p. 91

[FOOTNOTEAlidemajHaxhiu2023588-8] 1 2 3 Alidemaj & Haxhiu 2023, p. 588.

[xxxv-9] 1 2 3 Elsie 2010 , p. xxxv

[10] Elsie 2010 , p. 331

[FOOTNOTEAlidemajHaxhiu2023588–590-11] Alidemaj & Haxhiu 2023, pp. 588–590.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]