Constitution of Albania

Constitution of Albania
Name	Constitution of Albania
Date	28 November 1998
Effective date	28 November 1998

Constitution of Albania. The Constitution of Albania is the supreme law of Albania, adopted on 28 November 1998, by the People's Assembly, and is the framework for the country's government and political system. It established Albania as a parliamentary republic with a President serving as head of state and a Prime Minister heading the government. The Constitution ensures separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

History

The current Constitution of Albania was adopted on 28 November 1998, replacing the Interim Constitution that had been in place since 1991. The new constitution was the result of a Constitutional Assembly that was established in 1997. The assembly was composed of Socialist and Democratic members, and was facilitated by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank also provided assistance during the process.

The first constitution of Albania was adopted in 1910, under the Ottoman Empire, but it was short-lived. After World War I, Albania became an independent state and adopted a new constitution in 1920. This was followed by several other constitutions, including one in 1930 and another in 1944, which established Albania as a People's Republic under Enver Hoxha. The 1976 Constitution was in place until 1991, when a new interim constitution was adopted.

Structure

The Constitution of Albania consists of a Preamble and 18 Articles that are divided into several sections. The constitution is structured as follows: General Principles, Human Rights and Freedoms, State Power, and Amendments. The constitution also includes several transitional provisions.

Key Provisions

The Constitution of Albania establishes the sovereignty of the Albanian people and ensures that the state is based on the principles of democracy, freedom, and rule of law. It also guarantees the separation of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The constitution provides for a bicameral People's Assembly, composed of a Chamber of Deputies and a Senate, but in 2005, the Senate was abolished.

The constitution also establishes the President as the head of state, who is elected by the People's Assembly for a five-year term. The Prime Minister is the head of government and is responsible for appointing the Council of Ministers.

Human Rights

The Constitution of Albania guarantees a wide range of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including equality before the law, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and right to a fair trial. The constitution also provides for the protection of minority rights, including those of the Greek and Armenian communities.

The constitution also establishes the Ombudsman as an independent institution responsible for protecting human rights and promoting good governance.

Institutions

The Constitution of Albania establishes several key institutions, including the People's Assembly, the President, the Government, and the judiciary. The constitution also provides for the establishment of an independent Constitutional Court, which is responsible for interpreting the constitution and ensuring that laws are in compliance with it.

Amendments

The Constitution of Albania can be amended by a two-thirds majority of the People's Assembly. The amendment process involves several steps, including proposal, debate, and voting. The constitution has been amended several times since its adoption in 1998, including in 2005, when the Senate was abolished.

Category:Constitutions of countries