Type Unicameral Seats 140 | Chairperson Ilir Meta, LSI | |
Parliamentary Leaders Eduard Paloka (Democrats), Gramoz Ruçi (Socialists), Petrit Vasili (SI Movement), Fatmir Mediu (Republicans), Shpëtim Idrizi (PDIU) Political groups ASHE (Left: Social-democratic) (85)
APMI (Right: Liberal Conservative) (55) Voting system Closed list proportional representation | ||
The Parliament of Albania (Albanian: Kuvendi i Shqipërisë or Kuvendi), formerly the People's Parliament (Albanian: Kuvendi Popullor), is the unicameral parliament of the Republic of Albania. It has 140 members, elected for four-year terms. The electoral system is closed list proportional representation. There are 12 multi-member constituencies, corresponding to the country's 12 administrative regions. Within any constituency, parties must meet a threshold of three percent of votes; pre-election coalitions must meet a threshold of five percent. All laws passed by the parliament are published by the Albanian Official Journal (Albanian: Fletorja Zyrtare), the official journal of the government of Albania.
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Early History
The legislative system in Albania has evolved under many different regimes, most notably in the period before 1947. From 1920 to 1923, Albania's legislature was known as the National Council (Albanian: Këshillit Kombëtar). During the era of the Albanian Republic, Albania had a bicameral legislature, consisting of a Senate (Albanian: Senatit) and a Chamber of Deputies (Albanian: Dhomës së Deputetëve). From 1928 to 1939, during the era of the first iteration of the Albanian Kingdom Albania's legislature was known simply as the Parliament (Albanian: Parlamentit). From 1940-1943, during the Italian occupation of Albania and the existence of the 1939 Albanian Kingdom, Albania's legislature was known as the Supreme Fascist Cooperative (Albanian: Epërm Fashist Koorporativ). From 1943 to 1944, during Nazi occupation of Albania and the formation of the 1943 Albanian Kingdom, Albania's legislature was known as the National Assembly (Albanian: Kuvendit Kombëtar). From 1944 to late 1945, a National Anti-fascist Liberation Council (Albanian: Këshilli Antifashist Nacionalçlirimtar) was formed by politicians opposing the Nazi puppet government.
During multiple periods of regime change Albania's legislature was known as the Constituent Assembly (Albanian: Asamblesë Kushtetuese or Kuvendit Kushtetuese). This occurred in 1924, prior to the formation of the Albanian Republic, in 1928, prior to the formation of the first iteration of the Albanian Kingdom, and from 1946 to 1947, prior during the era Democratic Government of Albania and prior to the formation of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.
Recent History
From 1947 to 1999, during the era of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Albania's legislature was known as the People's Assembly (Albanian: Kuvendit Popullor). Since 1997, the parliament has been known simply as the Parliament (Albanian: Kuvendit të RSH). Currently the President is elected by the parliament. The current members were chosen in the 2013 Albanian parliamentary election.
Parties represented in the Parliament of Albania
This is a list of political parties with representation in the Albanian parliament following the general parliamentary elections of 2013.
Renovation
Since the end of the 2010 parliamentary season, the parliament has been renovated.
Committees
The Albanian parliament has the following 10 committees: