Democratic Party of Albania

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Not to be confused with Democratic Alliance Party (Albania), New Democratic Party (Albania), or Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.
For the party in North Macedonia, see Democratic Party of Albanians.
Democratic Party of Albania

Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë
Albanian namePartia Demokratike e Shqipërisë
LeaderLulzim Basha
Leader of the Parliamentary GroupEdmond Spaho
General SecretaryGazment Bardhi
FounderAleksandër Meksi
Founded12 December 1990[1]
HeadquartersBulevardi Zhan'dark 11, 1000, Tirana, Albania
NewspaperRilindja Demokratike
Youth wingForumi Rinor i Partise Demokratike
Membership (2019)113,220[citation needed]
IdeologyConservatism[2][3][4]
Liberal conservatism[5]
Pro-Europeanism[5]
Political positionCentre-right[5]
European affiliationEuropean People's Party (associate)[6]
International affiliationCentrist Democrat International,
International Democrat Union
SloganShqipëria si Europa! (Albania like Europe!)
National Assembly
25 / 140
[None claimed from the party which withdrew from parliament in February 2019]
Municipality
0 / 61
[Boycotted Municipal Elections/ June 30,2019]
Website
www.pd.al
Albania
Coat of arms of Albania.svg
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
Albania

The Democratic Party of Albania (Albanian: Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë, PD or PDSh) is a conservative[2][3][4] political party in Albania. The party became the leading party in the governing coalition following the 2005 parliamentary elections. It is an associate member of the European People's Party (EPP) and a full member of the International Democrat Union and Centrist Democrat International.[7][6][8] Rilindja Demokratike is the party's official newspaper.[9]

History[edit]

The party was founded on 12 December 1990 by Avdyl Matoshi, Azem Hajdari, Sali Berisha and Gramoz Pashko.[10] Arben Imami, Edmond Budina, Eduard Selami, Genc Ruli, Merita Zaloshnja and Aleksandër Meksi also took part in the early activities of the party. It 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 was 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.

In the 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.

After the defeat in the 2013 parliamentary election, Berisha announced his resignation as party leader. A one-member-one-vote election was held for the first time on 23 July 2013, in which Lulzim Basha defeated his opponent Sokol Olldashi and was elected chairman of the Democratic Party.[11][12]

On 30 September 2014, a national congress of the Democratic Party was held to elect a new leadership and to announce a tough reform of the party.[13]

On the 26th anniversary of the Democratic Party, party leader Basha announced his program for the further modernization and democratization of the party ahead of the 2017 parliamentary elections.

After previously promising that 35% of the parliamentary candidates would consist of members from the youth movement of the Party, Basha now announced a limitations of all mandates of the party leaders to a two-year term, and the full democratization of the internal election process.[14]

On 18 February 2017 members of the Democratic Party and other opposition parties, under the leadership of Lulzim Basha pitched a giant tent outside the Prime Minister's office in Tirana after thousands of protesters rallied to demand free elections and a technocrat government. The opposition protest further escalated into a larger political conflict. The Democratic Party and its allies refused to register to take part in the June 18 general election, until the government will accept their conditions to secure a free and democratic election.[15][16]

Headquarters[edit]

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

Election results[edit]

Year Votes % Seats Position +/– Government
1991 720,948 38.7%
75 / 250
 2nd Increase 75 Opposition
1992 1,046,193 57.3%
92 / 140
 1st Increase 17 Coalition
1996 914,218 55.2%
122 / 140
 1st Increase 30 Coalition
1997 315,677 24.1%
40 / 155
 2nd Decrease 93 Opposition
2001 494,272 36.9%
46 / 140
 2nd Increase 24 Opposition
2005 602,066 44,1%
56 / 140
 1st Increase 10 Coalition
2009 610,463 40.2%
68 / 140
 2nd Increase 12 Coalition
2013 528,373 30.6%
50 / 140
 2nd Decrease 18 Opposition
2017 427,778 28.8%
43 / 140
 2nd Decrease 7 Opposition

Chairmen of PD[edit]

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

2009 national elections[edit]

After the Albanian parliament elections of 2009 the Democrats won 67 MPs. The current list as of September 2011:[17][18]

  1. Adriana Gjonaj
  2. Albana Vokshi
  3. Aldo Bumçi
  4. Arben Imami
  5. Ardian Turku
  6. Arenca Trashani
  7. Astrit Bushati
  8. Astrit Patozi
  9. Aurel Bylykbashi
  10. Bedri Hoxha
  11. Besnik Dushaj
  12. Dashnor Sula
  13. Edi Paloka
  14. Edmond Spaho
  15. Eduard Halimi
  16. Enkelejd Alibeaj
  17. Fatbardh Kadilli
  18. Fatos Beja
  19. Fatos Hoxha
  20. Flamur Noka
  21. Florion Mima
  22. Genc Pollo
  23. Genc Ruli
  24. Gent Strazimiri
  25. Gerti Bogdani
  26. Gjergji Papa
  27. Gjok Uldedaj
  28. Igli Cara
  29. Ilir Bano
  30. Ilir Rusmali
  31. Ismail Hoxha
  32. Jemin Gjana
  33. Jozefina Topalli
  34. Kosta Barka
  35. Kreshnik Çipi
  36. Lajla Pernaska
  37. Ledina Aliolli
  38. Lefter Maliqi
  39. Leonard Demi
  40. Luan Skuqi
  41. Luçiano Boçi
  42. Majlinda Bregu
  43. Mark Marku
  44. Mehmet Xheka
  45. Mesila Doda
  46. Myqerem Tafaj
  47. Ndriçim Babasi
  48. Ndue Paluca
  49. Osman Metalla
  50. Paulina Hoti
  51. Rahim Çota
  52. Rajmonda Bulku
  53. Ramiz Çobaj
  54. Ridvan Bode
  55. Rrajmond Hoxha
  56. Sali Berisha
  57. Selami Xhepa
  58. Sherefedin Shehu
  59. Sokol Olldashi
  60. Spiro Ksera
  61. Sybi Hida
  62. Tritan Shehu
  63. Vasillaq Ngresi
  64. Vath Tabaku
  65. Viktor Gumi
  66. Ylli Lama

2013 national elections[edit]

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

2017 National Elections[edit]

In the general elections of 2017 DP won 43 out of 140 seats in parliament coming second after only SP and being the main largest party of the opposition of Albania and it's leader, Lulzim Basha the leader of opposition.

En Bloc Leaving of the Parliament[edit]

As of May 2019 the opposition MPs consisting of DP, SMI and other minor parties left their MP mandates accusing the Government of manipulating the elections due to some evidences provided by international media. Since then 17 deputies have accepted the mandate to replace resigned MPs . As of June 2019 the opposition has organised 7 massive national protests and several smaller ones in the capital, Tirana.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Robert Elsie (2010) Historical Dictionary of Albania, Scarecrow Press, pxliii
  2. ^ a b Nordsieck, Wolfram (2017). "Albania". Parties and Elections in Europe.
  3. ^ a b Slomp, Hans (26 September 2011). Europe, A Political Profile: An American Companion to European Politics. ABC-CLIO. p. 605. ISBN 978-0-313-39182-8.
  4. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "The Albanian Electoral Systems since 1990" (PDF). Albanian Elections Observatory Brief. Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (1). 19 April 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Parties and Partners". European People's Party.
  7. ^ "Key Political Parties in Albania". Balkaninsight.
  8. ^ "Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë". Eurofactbook. Archived from the original on 2016-08-09. Retrieved 2011-04-30.
  9. ^ "Partia Demokratike e Shqipërisë". PD.AL. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07.
  10. ^ Doder, Dusko (20 January 1991). "At Last, Albanians Feel Winds of Change". The Chicago Tribune. Tirana. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Basha Elected Head of Albania's Democrats :: Balkan Insight". www.balkaninsight.com. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  12. ^ Times, Tirana (2013-07-26). "Basha elected new Democratic Party leader". Tirana Times. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  13. ^ albania-opposition-party-elects-new-leadership
  14. ^ "Basha Announces Thorough Reform of PD - Exit". Exit. 2016-12-11. Retrieved 2017-03-20.
  15. ^ "Albanian protesters rally, pitch tent to demand free elections". 18 February 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2017 – via Reuters.
  16. ^ "Albania Opposition Parties to Boycott June Elections :: Balkan Insight". www.balkaninsight.com. Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  17. ^ "Parliamentary group". pd.al.
  18. ^ "List of elected members". Albanian parliament. Archived from the original on 2011-05-14.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Democratic_Party_of_Albania&oldid=909609849"