1997 Albanian monarchy referendum
29 June 1997
Which form of government are you in favor of:
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Republic 904,359 66.75%
Monarchy 450,478 33.25%
Valid votes 1,354,837 95.20%
Invalid or blank votes 68,372 4.80%
Total votes 1,423,209 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 1,986,550 71.64%
Part of the
1997 Albanian civil unrest
Fighting groups
Gangs of 1997
Massacres in 1997
Tragedies of 1997
Treasury thefts
Rescue missions
UN Resolutions
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See also
Politics of Albania
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A referendum on restoring the monarchy was held in Albania on 29 June 1997 alongside parliamentary elections.[1] The proposal was rejected by 66.7% of voters.[2] However, former Crown Prince Leka claimed that 65.7% voted in favour.[3]

Results

ChoiceVotes%
For450,47833.25
Against904,35966.75
Total1,354,837100.00
Valid votes1,354,83795.20
Invalid/blank votes68,3724.80
Total votes1,423,209100.00
Registered voters/turnout1,986,55071.64
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]

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, the former crown prince died, his son (Leka II) succeeding him as pretender to the defunct throne. That month, Prime Minister Sali Berisha questioned whether there was vote manipulation in the referendum, stating that "The referendum was held under the flares of a communist rebellion and cannot be considered a closed issue."[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. Archived from the original on 2011-07-06. Retrieved 2011-04-10.
  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. ^ Semini, Llazar (30 November 2011). "Albania's self-styled King Leka dies at 72". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022.
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