Event, starting in December 1990 with student protests; political pluralism was allowed on 11 December; the Labor Party won the 1991 elections (in a coalition with non-communists), but lost the 1992 elections amid economic collapse and social unrest
Albania's 1992 elections ended communist rule, marking the last fall of communism in Europe outside the former Soviet Union.
Key Facts
- Protests began
- December 1990, student demonstrations in Tirana
- Pluralism allowed
- 11 December 1990
- Democratic Party founded
- 12 December 1990
- March 1992 election result
- Democratic Party won majority of seats
- New president
- Sali Berisha (Democratic Party head)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Widespread popular discontent with one-party communist rule under the Party of Labour of Albania, combined with the broader collapse of communist regimes across Eastern Europe, spurred student protests beginning in January 1990 in cities such as Shkodër and Kavajë, culminating in large demonstrations in the capital, Tirana, in December 1990.
Facing mounting protests, the Central Committee of the Party of Labour allowed political pluralism on 11 December 1990. The opposition Democratic Party was founded the following day. March 1991 elections kept the communists in power, but a general strike forced a coalition stability government. Fresh elections were held in March 1992 amid economic collapse and social unrest.
Albania's former communists suffered a decisive defeat in the March 1992 elections, with the Democratic Party winning most parliamentary seats. Sali Berisha became president, completing the transition away from communist rule and marking the last such political transformation in Europe outside the former Soviet Union.