31st Kuvendi

Thirty-first Legislature of Albania

Legjislatura e tridhjetë e një e Shqipërisë

XXXI Legislature
X Pluralist Legislature
Type
Type|

Unicameral

Term limits

| Four years
History
Founded| September 10, 2021 (2021-09-10)
Preceded by| 30th Legislature
Leadership

Chairman of the Parliament

Elisa Spiropali, PS

Prime Minister

Edi Rama

Structure
Seats| 140 deputies

Political groups

| Government (76)

* PS (76)

Opposition (64)

* PD (42)
* DJATHTAS (4)
* KEA (4)
* Freedom (3)
* PSD (3)
* PDIU (2)
* PR (1)
* PAA (1)
* PBDNJ (1)
* LZHK (1)
* PM (1)
* Independent (1)

Website
www.parlament.al

The Thirty-first Legislature of Albania (Albanian: Legjislatura e tridhjetë e një e Shqipërisë), officially known as the X Pluralist Legislature of Albania (Albanian: Legjislatura e X Pluraliste e Shqipërisë), is the legislature of Albania following the 2021 general election of Members of Parliament (MPs) to the Albanian Parliament.[a] The party of the Prime Minister Edi Rama, PS, obtained an absolute majority of 74 deputies, becoming the first party to win three consecutive terms since the fall of communism in Albania.[4]

## Composition of the Parliament

[edit]

### Election of chairperson

[edit]

#### Procedure for election of the Chairperson of the Parliament

[edit]

The procedure for the election of the chairperson is foreseen by the Article 6 of Parliament's Rules[5] which states that:

1. A candidate for Chairperson of the Parliament shall be nominated by at least 15 deputies. An MP can not support more than one candidate. The proposal should be made with writing, contains the relevant signatures and is submitted to the Provisional Secretariat of Parliament.
2. The Chairperson of the Parliament shall be elected without debate and by secret ballot, by majority vote, in the presence of more than half of all members of the Parliament. If none of the candidates has won the required majority, it is followed by a second round, where they vote for the two candidates that have received the most votes.
3. Voting is publicly organized and chaired by a 5-member Voting Committee that reflects, as far as possible, the political composition of the Parliament. The oldest member by age also exercises the function of the Chairperson the Voting Committee and announce the voting results.
4. The Speaker of the session immediately invites the elected Chairperson of the Parliament to take his place.

#### Inauguration day of the legislature

[edit]

At 10:00 on September 10, 2021, the new X Legislature of the Albanian Parliament started in a session that was expected to be formal. The session was chaired by the oldest MP, who was Mrs. Luljeta Bozo from the ranks of the Socialists, who was elected for the first time as an MP at the age of 78.[6] In the first plenary session, the Commission for the Verification of the Mandates of the Deputies was formed, consisting of 9 members (5 from the majority and 4 from the opposition). A second plenary session followed during the evening, at 17:00 from where the oath of the deputies mandated by the general elections of April 25, 2021 took place, followed by the election of the speaker of the new parliament.[7]

The verification commission found 4 vacancies of deputies who had announced their resignation after being elected by the citizens and asked for their replacement with the deputies ranked after them according to the constituencies. From the ranks of the Socialists in the Tirana County, the seat of Najada Çomo was taken by Mimi Kodheli. In Durrës County, the seat of Lefter Koka was taken by Denis Deliu, while in Fier County, the seat of the former Speaker Gramoz Ruçi was taken by Mirela Pitushi. While from the ranks of Democrats in Lezhë County, Mark Marku was replaced by Elda Hoti.[8]

The verification commission also divided the deputies according to the respective parties, since during the elections some parties participated under the banner of an alliance. Thus, the Socialist Party was confirmed with 74 deputies, as it entered the elections alone. The Democratic Party, which together with the allies won 59, in the new legislature will have 50 deputies under its banner. 4 deputies are from the ranks of the Socialist Movement for Integration, 3 from the Social Democratic Party, 3 from the Republican Party, 2 from the PDIU, 1 from the PAA, 1 from the LZHK and 1 PBDNJ. And the rest are MPs who have either decided to be independent or have been expelled from the parliamentary group, as is the case of former Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, who was expelled just a day before the legislature from its party.[9]

Only the Socialist Party, which was the winner of the elections, made a proposal for the post of the Chairman of parliament. The PS proposed Mrs. Lindita Nikolla.

While the biggest opposition party PD opposed Nikolla's as candidature with a preliminary decision taken in a party meeting and that then during the voting ends in the tearing of the ballot papers by each deputy in a demonstrative way.[10][11]

#### Voting Sessions

[edit]

The first voting session in parliament was chaired by the oldest member of the parliament, who was Mrs. Luljeta Bozo. After taking the oath, the MP, begin the session for the voting of the Speaker of Parliament, where the only candidate was Mrs. Lindita Nikolla who came from the ranks of the Socialists, thus becoming the 43rd Speaker of the Albanian Parliament.

Voting for Chairperson of the Parliament  Pro | Against | Abstentions

|
|

79 votes | 4 votes | 0 vote
Total of 137 votes, of which 54 invalid votes since they were torn before being thrown into the ballot box.

Six days later, on September 16, the presentation session of the governing program Rama III began, from where the Prime Minister himself and then each candidate for minister presented the objectives for the next four years.[12][13] The session lasted over 20 hours postponing its closing for the following day. The third consecutive government of Rama was put to the vote on September 17, 2021, after a few days ago it had received the decree of President Ilir Meta.[14] The new cabinet introduced consists of 12 women and only 5 men, making up 75 percent of government positions led by women. This has propelled Albania to the top of global rankings in terms of the percentage of women holding Cabinet positions.[15][16]

Voting for the Government  Pro | Against | Abstentions

|
|

77 votes | 53 votes | 1 vote
Total of 131 votes, while 9 MPs did not take part in the voting.[17]

## Members of Parliament

[edit]

The following is a list of 140 members elected to the parliament in the 2021 Albanian parliamentary election. It consists of the representative's name, party, and they are divided according to the 12 constituencies of Albania to which they belong.[18][19]

## Elected & Current Members of Albanian Parliament

[edit]

### Socialist Party of Albania

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Notes

|
|

Berat County |  | Blendi Klosi | General Secretary of Socialist Party
| Bardhyl Kollçaku | Former Chief of the General Staff
| Hatixhe Konomi |
| Nasip Naço |
| Fadil Nasufi |
Dibër County |  | Lavdrim Krrashi |
| Aurora Mara |
Durrës County |  | Lefter Koka (Resigned)
Denis Deliu (Replaced)  | Lefter Koka, a former environment minister, has been sentenced to six years and eight months on corruption charges related to the Fieri waste incinerator, one of Albania's largest ever corruption scandals.[20]
| Milva Ekonomi | Former Minister of State for Standards and Services
| Jurgis Çyrbja (Resigned)
Erion Meka (Replaced)  | Jurgis Çyrbja, a former Socialist Party MP, was arrested shortly after resigning his parliamentary mandate. He is under investigation by SPAK for abuse of office during his tenure as director of the Durrës Property Registry in 2016.[21]
| Ilir Ndraxhi |
| Edi Rama | Prime Minister of Albania
| Rrahman Rraja (Resigned)
Arkend Balla (Replaced)  | Rrahman Rraja gives up MP after Kruja Scandal.[22]
| Klodiana Spahiu |
| Alban Xhelili |
Elbasan County |  | Taulant Balla | Minister of State for Relations with Parliament
| Besion Ajazi (Resigned)
Shkëlqim Bullari (Replaced)  | Besion Ajazi ran for Mayor of Gramsh during the 2023 Albanian Local Elections
| Luan Duzha |
| Saimir Hasalla |
| Evis Kushi | Former Minister of Education, Sports and Youth
| Florenc Spaho |
| Dasantila Tahiraj |
| Klevis Xhoxhi |
Fier County |  | Ismet Beqiraj |
| Erion Braçe |
| Lindita Buxheli |
| Bujar Çela |
| Antoneta Dhima |
| Petro Koçi |
| Tatiana Piro
(Nurce)  |
| Gramoz Ruçi (Resigned)
Mirela Pitushi (Replaced)  | Gramoz Ruçi, announced that he has resigned from all functions of the Socialist Party.[23]
| Baftjar Zeqaj |
| Nusret Avdulla | Defected from PDIU and is running in Socialist Party's open list in Fier.
Gjirokastër County |  | Bledar Çuçi |  Leader of Parliamentary Group and Former Minister of Internal Affairs.
| Laert Duraj |
| Mirela Kumbaro | Minister of Tourism and Environment
Korçë County |  | Blerina Gjylameti |
| Niko Peleshi | Former Minister of Defence
| Ilirian Pendavinji |
| Ilir Topi |
| Olta Xhaçka | Former Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs
| Enslemvera Zake |
Kukës County |  | Gerta Duraku |
Lezhë County |  | Shpresa Marnoj |
| Eduard Ndreca |
| Lindita Nikolla | Former Speaker of the Parliament
Shkodër County |  | Benet Beci (Resigned)
Frrok Gjini (Replaced)  | Benet Beci ran for Mayor of Shkodër during the 2023 Albanian Local Elections.
| Edona Bilali | Former Minister of State for Entrepreneurs
| Agron Çela |
| Paulin Sterkaj |
Tirana County |  | Belinda Balluku | Deputy Prime Minister of Albania and Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy
| Luljeta Bozo |
| Klotilda Bushka |
| Ermonela Felaj (Valikaj)  |
| Etilda Gjonaj |
| Toni Gogu |
| Najada Çomo (Resigned)
Mimi Kodheli (Replaced)  | She resigned without reason.[24]
| Alqi Bllako (Resigned)
Pandeli Majko (Replaced)  | The Assembly canceled the announced meeting to consider SPAK's request for the arrest of deputy Alqi Blako, after the latter resigned from the mandate of the deputy.[25]
| Ogerta Manastirliu | Minister of Education, Sports and Youth
| Ulsi Manja | Minister of Justice
| Arben Ahmetaj (Resigned)
Plarent Ndreca (Replaced)  | Arben Ahmetaj has been on the run since June 2023, while since July 24 he has been declared an international wanted man as he is accused of "non-declaration, false declaration and concealment of assets", alone and in collaboration, "Passive corruption of high state officials or elected officials local" in six cases, "Cleaning the proceeds of a criminal offense or criminal activity".[26]
| Arben Pëllumbi |
| Xhemal Qefalia |
| Orlando Rakipi |
| Eduard Shalsi |
| Elisa Spiropali | Speaker of the Parliament of Albania
| Etjen Xhafaj |
| Fatmir Xhafaj |
Vlorë County |  | Anila Denaj | Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development
| Damian Gjiknuri |
| Niko Kuri |
| Ilir Metaj |
| Teuta Ramaj |
| Pranvera Resulaj |
| Vullnet Sinaj |
| Anduel Tahiraj |

### Democratic Party of Albania

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Notes

|
|

Berat County |  | Tomor Alizoti |
| Kasëm Mahmutaj |
Dibër County |  | Kreshnik Çollaku |
| Dhurata Tyli (Çupi)  |
| Xhemal Mziu |
Durrës County |  | ~~Merita Bakiu~~ | Defected to Euroatlantic Democrats
| Oerd Bylykbashi |
| Edi Paloka |
| Ferdinand Xhaferaj |
| Andia Ulliri |
Elbasan County
| ~~Flutura Açka~~ | On July 2024, she decided to become independent, disagreeing with the party's.[27]
| Gazment Bardhi | Leader of the Parliamentary Group
| Lefter Gështenja |
| Zheni Gjergji |
| ~~Dashnor Sula~~ | Leaving the Democratic Party due to his non-candidate status in the parliamentary elections, chosen by Sali Berisha.
| Luçiano Boçi (Resigned)
Qani Xhafa (Replaced)  | Luçiano Boçi ran for Mayor of Elbasan in the 2023 Albanian Local Election.[28]
Fier County |  | ~~Enkelejd Alibeaj~~ | On July 2024, he decided to become independent, disagreeing with the party's decisions.[29] He later founded Djathtas 1912.
| Luan Baçi |
| Eralda Bano (Tase)  |
| Saimir Korreshi |
| Ilda Dhori |
Gjirokastër County |  | Tritan Shehu |
Korçë County |  | Sorina Koti |
| Ervin Salianji (Resigned)
Andrea Mano (Replaced)  | Salianji was sentenced to 1 year in prison for making a false report in the case known as “Babale”.[30]
| Bledion Nallbati |
| Edmond Spaho |
| ~~Seladin Jakupllari~~ | Defected to Djathtas 1912
Kukës County |  | Isuf Çelaj |
| Flamur Hoxha |
Lezhë County |  | Agron Gjekmarkaj |
| Lindita Metaliaj |
| Kastriot Piroli |
| Mark Marku (Resigned)
Elda Hoti (Replaced)  | Mark Marku resigned as result of not agreeing with the direction of PD.[31]
Shkodër County |  | Greta Bardeli |
| Helidon Bushati |
| Zef Hila (Resigned)
Lodovik Hasani (Replaced)  | Zef Hila ran for Mayor of Vau Deja in the 2023 Albanian Local Elections.[32]
| Ramadan Likaj |
| Emilja Koliqi |
Tirana County |  | ~~Lulzim Basha~~ | Defected to Euroatlantic Democrats
| Sali Berisha | Chairman of Democratic Party and Former Prime Minister of Albania
| Belind Këlliçi (Resigned)
Asllan Dogjani (Replaced)  | Belind Këlliçi ran for Mayor of Tirana in the 2023 Albanian Local Elections.[33]
| Grida Duma (Resigned)
Orjela Nebijaj (Replaced)  | "Today I will tell you something that I will never forgive politics. I will never forgive the blow that my son gave me under the belt. At least I wish that these blows could have been a lesson for him not to be deceived by evil", said Duma .The reason for Dispute of Berisha and Basha.[34]
| Flamur Noka | General Secretary of Democratic Party
| ~~Orjola Pampuri~~ | Defected to Euroatlantic Democrats
| ~~Agron Shehaj~~ | Shehaj has stated that he is no longer part of the parliamentary group, as he was earlier expelled from Gazment Bardhi. After of his independence he makes his new party.[35][36]
| Jorida Tabaku |
| Albana Vokshi |
| Alfred Rushaj (Resigned)
Petrit Doda (Replaced)  | A Democrat member of Parliament left the party cause for Dispute of Basha and Berisha.[37]
Vlorë County |  | ~~Arbi Agalliu~~ | On July 2024, he decided to become independent, disagreeing with the party's.[38]
| Bujar Leskaj |
| Ina Zhupa |
| ~~Fation Veizaj~~ | Feizaj says that in this situation where the PD is, it has tried not to foster division, but emphasizes that recent developments have shown that the division in the Democratic Party is irreversible. Replaced by Gëzim Ademaj[39]

### Djathtas 1912

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Previous Party

|
|

Elbasan County |  | Flutura Açka | PD
Fier County |  | Enkelejd Alibeaj | PD
Korçë County |  | Seladin Jakupllari | PD
Vlorë County |  | Arbi Agalliu | PD

### Euroatlantic Democrats

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Previous Party

|
|

Tirana County |  | Lulzim Basha | PD
| Orjola Pampuri | PD
Durrës County |  | Merita Bakiu | PD
Vlorë County |  | Gëzim Ademaj | PDIU

### Freedom Party of Albania (Former LSI)

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Notes

|
|

Fier County |  | Monika Kryemadhi |
Shkodër County |  | ~~Agron Çela~~ | He defected to the Socialist Party.[40]
Tirana County |  | Petrit Vasili |
| Erisa Xhixho |

### Social Democratic Party of Albania

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Notes

|
|

Shkodër County |  | Gledis Çeliku |
| Meri Markiçi |
Tirana County |  | Gertjan Deda |

### Party for Justice, Integration and Unity

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Notes

|
|

Fier County |  | ~~Nustret Avdulla~~ | Defected to Socialist Party of Albania
Tirana County |  | Mesila Doda |
| Shpëtim Idrizi |
Vlorë County |  | ~~Gëzim Ademaj~~ | Defected to Euroatlantic Democrats

### Others

[edit]

County  | Full name  | Party

|
|

Durrës County |  | Agron Duka | PAA
Elbasan County |  | Dashnor Sula | Independent
Tirana County |  | Fatmir Mediu | PR
| Dashamir Shehi | LZHK
| Vangjel Dule | PBDNJ
| Agron Shehaj | MUNDËSIA

## See also

[edit]

* Parliament of Albania
* 2021 Albanian parliamentary election

## Note

[edit]

1. ^ A direct dictionary translation would be "Assembly."[1][2] However, the Albanian government uses the translation "Parliament."[3]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Hysa, Ramazan (2003). Albanian-English, English-Albanian Standard Dictionary. New York, NY: Hippocrene Books. p. 184\. ISBN 978-0-7818-0979-5.
2. ^ Leonard, Newmark, ed. (1999). Albanian-English Dictionary. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. pp. 431–432\. ISBN 0-19-860322-3.431-432&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press&rft.date=1999&rft.isbn=0-19-860322-3&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:31st+Kuvendi" class="Z3988">
3. ^ "Republic of Albania Parliament". Albanian Parliament. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
4. ^ "Albania's Socialists win election, gain 3rd straight mandate". AP NEWS. 2021-04-27. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
5. ^ "Parliament's Rule" (PDF). Parliament of Albania. parlament.al. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 23, 2024.
6. ^ "Luljeta Bozo mbërrin e para në Kuvend, do të drejtojë sot seancën e parë". Gazeta Atdheu. 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
7. ^ "Verifikimi i 140 deputetëve/ Klotilda Bushka zgjidhet kryetare e Komisionit të Mandateve. Ja kush janë anëtarët". balkanweb.com (in Albanian). 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
8. ^ "Zëvendësimi i 4 deputetëve që lëshuan mandatet!". www.topalbaniaradio.com. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
9. ^ "Betohen deputetët e rinj të Kuvendit të Shqipërisë. Nis votimi për Lindita Nikollën, opozita gris fletët e votimit, Berisha largohet". a2news.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 2021-09-11.
10. ^ "Deputetët e PD kundër Lindita Nikollës si kryeparlamentare". Euronews Albania. 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
11. ^ "Opozita gris fletën e votimit për Nikollën kryetare Kuvendi". Tv Klan. 2021-09-10. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
12. ^ "Kryeministri Rama prezanton programin e qeverisë së re". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
13. ^ "Kuvend/Çuçi: Kamera në çdo kryqëzim të vendit! Manja: Duhet ndryshimi i Kushtetutës për shtyrjen e vetingut (Video)". shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 2021-09-17.
14. ^ "Albanian President Decrees New Government, Final Vote by Parliament Imminent". exit.al. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
15. ^ "Albania Parliament approves new female-dominated Cabinet". KTAR.com. 2021-09-17. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
16. ^ "Albania claims global leadership for women in government". News 4 Buffalo. 2021-09-16. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
17. ^ "The session lasted over 20 hours / Voted with 77 votes in favor of the government "Rama 3", the oath of President Meta is expected". politiko.al. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
18. ^ "Komisioni Qendror i Zgjedhjeve". kqz.gov.al. Retrieved 2021-09-19.
19. ^ "Ja kush janë 140 deputetët e rinj të parlamentit". Gazeta Telegraf. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
20. ^ "Lefter Koka renounces the mandate of the deputy". Telegrafi. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
21. ^ "Jurgis Çyrbja Accused for 7 Criminal Offences, He informed Police Operations SPAK". Albanian Daily News. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
22. ^ "Rrahman Rraja gives up MP after Kruja Scandal". Albanian Daily News. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
23. ^ "Gramoz Ruçi announces resignation from all party functions". Euronews Albania. Retrieved 12 June 2021.
24. ^ "Najada Çomo jep dorëheqjen, ja kush e merr mandatin e saj". Albanian Post. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
25. ^ "Alqi Bllako jep dorëheqjen nga mandati i deputetit, Kuvendi anulon mbledhjen!". Top Albania Radio. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
26. ^ "Arrestimi i Arben Ahmetaj? Kush e merr mandatin e deputetit të PS (Emri)". VoxNews.al. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
27. ^ "Flutura Açka pas largimit nga PD-ja: Ky mandati i parë dhe ndoshta i fundit për mua". Dritare. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
28. ^ "Merr mandatin e Boçit në Elbasan, Qani Xhafa: S'kapëm qiellin me dorë…". Dosja.al. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
29. ^ "Alibeaj kërkesë Nikollës: Nga sot jam deputet i pavarur!". Top Albania Radio. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
30. ^ "Andrea Mano pranon të zëvendësojë Salianjin në Kuvend, dorëzon formularin e dekriminalizimit në KQZ". Shqiptarja.com (Report TV). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
31. ^ "Mark Marku jep dorëheqjen nga mandati i deputetit të PD". Telegrafi.
32. ^ "They left the mandate to run as mayors, who will replace the five deputies in the Assembly". Politiko. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
33. ^ "Asllan Dogjani merr mandatin e deputetit, pasi Këlliçi e dorëzon". Koha Jone. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
34. ^ "Grida Duma dha dorëheqjen, mandati i deputetes i kalon moderatores televizive". Standard.al. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
35. ^ "Agron Shehaj largohet nga PD: Do qëndroj i pavarur, ja biseda me Berishën" (in Albanian). Balkan Web. 6 November 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
36. ^ "Agron Shehaj themelon partinë 'Mundësia': Për një Shqipëri pa korrupsion". Sot.com.al. Retrieved 1 July 2024.
37. ^ "After the Duma, Alfred Rushaj hands over the mandate of deputy". Politico. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
38. ^ "Arbi Agalliu largohet nga Grupi Parlamentar i PD-së: Gjykata ia dha vulën dikujt që nuk përkon me bindjet e mia politike". Dosja.al. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
39. ^ "Dorëheqja e Fation Veizaj, flet deputeti që pritet për t;i zërë vendin në qarkun e Vlorës për Report Tv: Do jem pjesë e grupit parlamentar të PD, shpresoj bashkimin". Shqiptarja.com (Report TV. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
40. ^ "The MP who abandoned Meta, Agron Çela, appears alongside Rama in Shkodër". Tiranapost. Retrieved 10 January 2023.