1997 Albanian monarchy referendum

A referendum on restoring the monarchy was held in Albania on 29 June 1997 alongside parliamentary elections.[1] Officially the proposal was rejected by 66.7% of voters,[2] although 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] A referendum was held in Albania concerning a monarchical restoration. 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 admitted 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]

References

1. Dieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p133 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
2. Nohlen & Stöver, p.137
3. "Prince Leka". Albanian Royal House.
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