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EDITIONS

Albania

COUNTRY	ELECTION TYPE	DATE
Republic of Albania	Parliamentary	First Round: June 29, 1997 Second Round: July 6, 1997 Third Round: July 13, 1997

At stake in this election:

155 seats in the People’s Assembly
(115 seats elected by majority vote, 40 seats are elected by proportional representation)

Description of government structure:

Unicameral People’s Assembly
The number of seats in the People’s Assembly was reduced in February 1992 from 250 to 140. At that time, groups representing ethnic minorities could not nominate candidates. For the purposes of this election, however, the number of seats in the People’s Assembly was increased by 15 to 155. The assembly sits for four years.

Results of the election:

Party: Socialist Party
Leader: Fatos NANO
Seats won in last election: 10
Seats won in this election: 101
Party: Democratic Party (ran as part of the Union for Democracy coalition in some areas)
Leader: Tritan SHEHU
Seats won in last election: 122
Seats won in this election: 26
Party: Social Democratic Party
Leader: Skender GJINUSHI
Seats won in last election: 0
Seats won in this election: 10
Several other parties
won at least 1, but no more than 4, of the 18 remaining seats.

When was the last election? Number of seats in last election?

Population and number of registered voters:

Of Interest:

The collapse of several pyramid schemes created mass discontent in Albania, forcing Prime Minister MESKI to resign, and a new "government of national reconciliation" was formed. President BERISHA called new elections in order to allow more voices in Parliament and to start political, economic, and social recovery within Albania.
A referendum on the form of government was also held on election day to decide between a republic or a constitutional monarchy. Through this referendum, Albanians rejected the restoration of the monarchy and supported republican rule.

SOURCE: INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR ELECTION SYSTEMS (IFES)