Albania
Albania was invaded by Mussolini during World War II. As the war ended, communist partisans under the leadership of Enver Hoxha rose to power. Hoxha subscribed to a doctrine of orthodox Stalinism.
Population: 3.5 million
Area: 28 748 km2
GDP (PPP): 23,33 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 7 400 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 3.1 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state: Bamir Topi
Head of government: Sali Berisha (Democratic Party)
Due to Albania never being liberated by the Allied troops, the partisans were able to establish themselves as rulers with the support from Tito’s Yugoslavia, Stalin’s USSR and Mao’s China.
Ever since the fall of the iron curtain, development in Albania has been turbulent. Democratic elections were held repeatedly and power alternated between communists and more democratically inclined forces. Lack of political continuity and dramatic shifts in public opinion are common in the Balkans. But only in Albania has this tendency developed into periods of full-blown anarchy. At the beginning of the 90s, Albania was in a crisis and hundreds of thousands of refugees fled the country by boat. A couple of years later, the country’s whole financial system collapsed in the pyramid scheme and public anger was vented by the pillaging of army depots. Roughly one million automatic weapons were looted.
As of the 2005 parliamentary elections, Albania is ruled by a coalition – the Union for Victory. The government is pursuing reforms aimed at erradicating corruption and crimes against individual rights with an EU-membership as an overall goal.
According to the latest Transparency International investigation of corruption, Albania ranks third in the world on the list of the most corrupt countries. The greatest threat to security is organized crime and the current government is dedicating a lot of their efforts to solving this problem. Currently, a reform package for the legal system is being discussed as a campaign has been initiated in order to accelerate long-delayed reforms. Consequently, the situation in terms of security is improving.
Freedom of speech and freedom of press are guaranteed by the constitution. Legislation on governmental transparency in Albania meets modern standards. There are several daily newspapers and other publications that appear regularly.
The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the Democratic Party. As of the 2005 parliamentary election, the party forms the government. The party is of a conservative liberal orientation and is, since the early 90s, one of the driving forces behind democratization in Albania.
The work of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation in Albania focuses on reinforcing the ideals of democracy, market economy, rule of law, human rights and tolerance. The Foundation offers advice on issues such as media management, policy and strategy.
Another important project is aiding the Democartic Party in their cooperation with other parties on questions concerning the democratic system. Including coalition building and the importance of cooperation with parties both in majority and in minority.
