People and Politics

The constitution states that Albania is a Parliamentary Republic, and its system of government is based on the principle of separation of legislative, executive and judicial powers, and the State guarantees the freedom to establish political parties, which respects democratic principles, and the law prohibits the establishment of political parties and other organizations, programs and activities based on the principle of pluralism, or that which  encourages and supports racial, religious, regional or ethnic hatred, or which use violence as a means to seize power or to influence policy, as well as parties that have secret nature and guarantee freedom of expression in public life. The armed forces secure the country's independence and maintain its territorial integrity and constitutional order, it  is committed to maintaining neutrality in political matters and is under civilian control.

Parliament consists of 140 members. Representatives are elected by proportional electoral system, members of parliament are elected for four years.

The President is the head of state and represents the unity of the people, and the person to be elected President of the Republic must be a citizen of Albania, and must have resided in Albania during the last ten years, he/she  should not be under the age of forty, and the president is elected for five years and may be re-elected for one term only .

The most important political parties in Albania:

• Socialist Party

The Socialist Party is the ruling party in Albania since June 2013.

Socialist Party was founded in 1991 on the wake of the Albanian labors' Party (the former communist party). The Socialist Party is biggest force of the political left wing, an associate of the Party of European Socialists (PES), and a member of the Socialist International.

Chairman of the party: Mr. Edi Rama.

• Democratic Party

Albanian Democratic Party was founded in December 1990, as it is the first political party that was created after allowing political pluralism in Albania, the Democratic Party is one of the political right-wing forces. It is also a member of the European People’s Party (EPP).

Chairman of the party: Mr. Sali Berisha

• Freedom Party


Freedom party, formerly known as the Socialist Movement for Integration, was founded in 2004 and represents the third political force in the country.

Chairman of the party: Mr. Ilir Meta