Politics

The politics of Albania takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic republic, whereby the Prime Minister is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament, the Assembly of the Republic of Albania (Kuvendi i Republikes se Shqiperise). Since 1991, the introduction of pluralism, the party system is dominated by the Democratic Party of Albania and the socialist (post-communist) Socialist Party of Albania.

Executive Branch

The head of state in Albania is the President of the Republic. The President is elected to a 5-year term by the Assembly of the Republic of Albania by secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority of the votes of all deputies.

The President has the power to guarantee observation of the constitution and all laws, act as commander in chief of the armed forces, exercise the duties of the Assembly of the Republic of Albania when the Assembly is not in session, and appoint the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister).

Executive power rests with the Council of Ministers (cabinet). The Chairman of the Council (Prime Minister) is appointed by the President; ministers are nominated by the President on the basis of the Prime Minister's recommendation. The People's Assembly must give final approval of the composition of the Council. The Council is responsible for carrying out both foreign and domestic policies. It directs and controls the activities of the ministries and other state organs.

Legislative Branch

The Assembly of the Republic of Albania (Kuvendi i Republikes se Shqiperise) is the lawmaking body in Albania. There are 140 deputies in the Assembly, of which 100 are directly elected by an absolute majority of the voters, and 40 are chosen by their parties on the basis of proportional representation. The President of the Assembly (or Speaker) has two deputies and chairs the Assembly. There are 15 permanent commissions, or committees. Parliamentary elections are held at least every 4 years.

The Assembly has the power to decide the direction of domestic and foreign policy; approve or amend the constitution; declare war on another state; ratify or annul international treaties; elect the President of the Republic, the Supreme Court, and the Attorney General and his or her deputies; and control the activity of state radio and television, state news agency, and other official information media.

Judicial Branch

The court system consists of a Constitutional Court, the Court of Cassation, appeals courts and district courts. The Constitutional Court comprises nine members appointed by the People's Assembly for maximum 9-year terms. The Constitutional Court interprets the constitution, determines the constitutionality of laws and resolves disagreements between local and federal authorities. The remaining courts are each divided into three jurisdictions: criminal, civil, and military. The Court of Cassation is the highest court of appeal and consists of 11 members appointed by the People's Assembly and serving 7-year terms. The President of the Republic chairs the High Council of Justice (HCJ) charged with appointing and dismissing other judges. The HCJ was expanded in late 1997 to comprise 13 members from among the various branches of government.

A college of three judges renders Albanian court verdicts; there is no jury trial, although the college is sometimes referred to in the Albanian press as the 'jury.'

Military

The Albanian Armed Forces are overseen by the General Staff Headquarters, and consists of:

Land Forces Command (Army)
Naval Forces Command (Navy)
Air Defense Command
Doctrine and Training Command
Logistics Command

In 2002, Albania's armed forces have launched a 10-year reform program sponsored and supervised by the US Department of Defense in order to trim down and thoroughly modernise its current standing force of more than 70,000 troops.

Working towards NATO membership, the Adriatic Charter countries (Albania, Croatia and Macedonia) are expected to join the alliance in 2008.The Albanian army participates in peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq.