The Great Political Rotation in Albania (March 1992)

Abstract

From all former communist countries, Albania was less prepared for the transition from dictatorship to pluralistic democracies and trade economy. The historical heritage of authoritarian and centralized rules and of weak economy development, was a major obstacle to a quick and easy rotation of Albania society. Political instability in Albania in early 1990s had led to the change of four governments within a period of one year (march 1991-1992). This aggravated situation among the political forces paralyzed normal state activity, showing negative effects in all directions including economy direction. Consequently, at this time, the overall economic situation was characterized by a number of negative parametres. Albania had already dropped not only in a difficult economic but even political, moral and spiritual crisis, where a good part of the people had lost hope in the future of the country. The members of the Albanian right were without the proper experience of a democratic politics. Faced with this difficult situation, the country was moving towards early elections of March 22, 1992. These elections were held under a new electoral law which were adopted on February 4, 1992. The political parties agreed on a mixed election system, reflecting criticism of the electoral procedures pursued up to that time. With all of the major historical, political and socio-economic obstacles, the elections developed smoothly and according to international observers they were regular. The result of these elections marked the absolute victory of the Democratic Party. Socialist Party became the second main force, but with a drastic contraction of the electorate. These elections marked the political rotation in Albania and the coming of a democratic government in power, after nearly 50 years of the communist regime. The greatest victory of the Democratic Party created Albania the best opportunity to strive for the creation of a true democracy, a stable economy and a social and legal justice to respond to the demands of its citizens. Thus, Albania under the leadership of the Democrats embarked on the long and troublesome path of the country's multifaceted transformations. On the path of a long and difficult transition to the establishment and consolidation of a sustainable democratic system.