1991 Albanian parliamentary election

1991 Albanian parliamentary election

31 March 1991 (1991-03-31) (first round)
7 April 1991 (1991-04-07) (second round)
14 April 1991 (1991-04-14) (third round)

All 250 seats to the People's Assembly
Turnout98.66% ( 1.34pp)
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
PPSh Ramiz Alia 56.17 169 −81
PD Sali Berisha 38.71 75 New
Omonoia Vasil Bollano 0.73 5 New
KKVLAPSH Rustem Peçi 0.28 1 New
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Prime Minister before Prime Minister after
Fatos Nano
PPSh
Fatos Nano
PPSh

Parliamentary elections were held in Albania on 31 March 1991 to elect the 250 representatives of the People's Assembly. A second round was held on 7 April and a third round on 14 April. The elections represented a critical juncture in Albania's political evolution, transitioning from one party system to a multi-party liberal democratic system. Following the death of Enver Hoxha in 1985, his successor, Ramiz Alia encountered escalating economic difficulties and social unrest, which were intensified by the broader geopolitical transformations occurring during the Revolutions of 1989. The foundation of the Democratic Party in December 1990 served as a catalyst for legislative reforms aimed at dismantling the People's Socialist Republic.

The elections had a voter turnout of 99%, with 1,951,004 ballots cast to elect the representatives from 250 designated electoral districts. The ruling Party of Labour received 56% of the vote in the first round, going on to win 169 seats and securing the two-thirds majority necessary for constitutional amendments, while the Democratic Party garnered significant support, especially in urban areas. The electoral process comprised six recognised parties, including the Agrarian Party and Republican Party, along with various independent candidates, between democratic aspirations and residual communist elements. Tensions were heightened in the lead-up to the elections, as the Democrats organised several demonstrations demanding electoral integrity. Post-election, violent protests erupted in Shkodër, triggered by the unexpected electoral outcomes, resulting in significant civil unrest and fatalities, which underscored the prevailing political instability.

The inaugural session of the People's Assembly on 10 April 1991, was boycotted by Democrats in response to perceived governmental inadequacies in addressing the unrest. Subsequently, on 29 April, the parliament enacted a constitutional law establishing the Republic of Albania, which facilitated Alia's election as the second president of Albania.