Democratic Government of Albania
The Democratic Government of Albania (Albanian: Qeveria Demokratike e Shqipërisë) was established on 20 October 1944 by the National Liberation Movement, as the Albanian partisan resistance of 1940–1944 came to a close. A provisional government took power after the liberation of the country from German forces on 28 November. Its interim Prime Minister was Secretary-General Enver Hoxha of the Communist Party of Albania. The interim government was to be in existence until the holding of elections and the convening of a Constituent Assembly.
Democratic Government of Albania Qeveria Demokratike e Shqipërisë | |||||||||
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1944–1946 | |||||||||
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Motto: Ti Shqipëri, më jep nder, më jep emrin Shqipëtar "You Albania, give me honour, give me the name Albanian" • Proletarë të të gjitha vendeve, bashkohuni! "Proletarians of all countries, unite!" | |||||||||
Capital | Tirana | ||||||||
Common languages | Albanian | ||||||||
Government | Unitary Stalinist one-party totalitarian provisional government | ||||||||
Chairman | |||||||||
• 1944–1946 | Omer Nishani | ||||||||
Prime Minister | |||||||||
• 1944–1946 | Enver Hoxha | ||||||||
Legislature | Constituent Assembly | ||||||||
Historical era | World War II / Cold War | ||||||||
• Establishment | 20 October 1944 | ||||||||
• Republic proclaimed | 10 January 1946 | ||||||||
Currency | Franga | ||||||||
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The government was led by the National Liberation Movement, which in turn was dominated by the Communist Party. From the outset, the Democratic Government was a Communist state. It sidelined the nationalist Balli Kombëtar, a task made somewhat easier by its collaboration with the Nazis. King Zog I was effectively dethroned; the Democratic Government barred him from ever returning to the country. The LNÇ quickly established fraternal relationships with other Communist countries.
Elections were held on 2 December 1945. By this time, the LNÇ had transformed itself into the Democratic Front of Albania, which was the only organization to contest the election. On 10 January 1946 the People's Republic of Albania was proclaimed.
Cabinet
- Enver Hoxha - Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Defense
- Koçi Xoxe - Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs and Chairman of the Audit Committee
- Tuk Jakova - Minister Without Portfolio, February 6, 1946 Minister of Industry
- Haxhi Lleshi - Minister Without Portfolio
- Manol Konomi - Minister of Justice, 6 May 1947 - 5 February 1948 Minister Ad. Interim Education
- Spiro Koleka - Minister of World Affairs
- Ramadan Çitaku - Kiço Ngjela (6 February 1948) - Minister of Finance
- Nako Spiru - Minister of Economy, March 13, 1947 - President of the State Plan Committee
- Medar Shtylla - Minister of Health
- Gaqo Tashko - Minister of Agriculture
- Sejfulla Malëshova (Naxhije Dume, 6 February 1948) - Minister of Education
- Gogo Nushi (January 31, 1947 - Minister of Commerce
- Nesti Kerenxhi - Minister Without Portfolio and President of the State Plan Commission (May 29, 1948)
- Pandi Kristo - Minister Without Portfolio (1946) and Head of State Control (1947)
- Mehmet Shehu - Minister of Communications and PTT (February 6, 1948)