1997 Albanian monarchy referendum

A referendum on restoring the monarchy was held in Albania on 29 June 1997 alongside parliamentary elections.^[1] The proposal was rejected by 66.7% of voters.^[2] However, former Crown Prince Leka claimed that 65.7% voted in favour.^[3]

Official Results[]

Choice	Votes	%
For	450,478	33.3
Against	904,359	66.7
Invalid/blank votes	68,372	–
Total	1,423,209	100
Registered voters/turnout	1,986,550	71.64
Source: Direct Democracy

Reactions[]

The House of Zogu never accepted the official result of the referendum. After the publication of the result by the Central Election Commission of Albania, during the 1997 rebellion in Albania, Leka returned again, this time being greeted by 2,000 supporters.^[4]

After a recount it was announced that the restoration was rejected by approximately two-thirds of those voting.^[5] The former Crown Prince questioned the independence of the election. Police intervened, gunfire broke out, one person was killed, and Leka fled.

On 30 November 2011, after the death of Leka, Prime Minister Sali Berisha claimed that there was vote manipulation in the referendum, and that the monarchy should have been restored. Berisha blamed the manipulation on the "flames of communist rebellion".^[6]^{[citation needed]}

References[]

^ Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p133 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
^ Nohlen & Stöver, p.137
^ "Prince Leka". Albanian Royal House. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
^ "Albania: two thousand attend Tirana protest rally in support of monarchy". ATA. 1997-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
^ Ex-king's son returns to Albania, BBC News Online, 28 June 2002.
^ Kryeministri PM Berisha offers condolences at Leka Zogu I passing away, Keshilli i Ministrave 2011-11-30^{[dead link]}

[1] Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p133 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7

[2] Nohlen & Stöver, p.137

[Royal-3] "Prince Leka". Albanian Royal House. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-10.

[4] "Albania: two thousand attend Tirana protest rally in support of monarchy". ATA. 1997-07-02. Retrieved 2008-07-31.

[5] Ex-king's son returns to Albania, BBC News Online, 28 June 2002.

[6] Kryeministri PM Berisha offers condolences at Leka Zogu I passing away, Keshilli i Ministrave 2011-11-30^{[dead link]}

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v t Elections and referendums in Albania
Parliamentary elections	1921 1923 1925 1945 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1987 1991 1992 1996 1997 2001 2005 2009 2013 2017 2021 Next
Local elections	1992 1996 2000 2003 2007 2011 2013 2015 2019
Referendums	1994 1997 1998

Albanian Civil War
Part of the
Fighting groups
Forum for Democracy Salvation Committees Government of National Reconciliation Operation Alba

Gang of Çole Gang of Gaxhai Gang of Pusi i Mezinit
Massacres in 1997
Massacre of 28 February 1997 Massacre of Cërrik Massacre of Ura Vajgurore
Tragedies of 1997
Otranto Tragedy Qafë Shtama Tragedy
Treasury thefts
Krraba Stealing Stealing of Northern State Treasury
Rescue missions
Operation Silver Wake Operation Libelle
UN Resolutions
Resolution 1101 Resolution 1114
Important events
Opening of the depots Desertion of 4 March 1997 1997 Albanian parliamentary election 1997 Albanian monarchy referendum
See also
Pyramid schemes in Albania Role of the media in the Albanian Civil War
v t