The 

Parliament of Albania (Albanian: Kuvendi i Shqipërisë) or Kuvendi is

the unicameral representative body of the citizens of the Republic of Albania; it is
Albania's legislature. The Parliament is composed of not less than 140 members elected to a four-
year term on the basis of direct, universal, periodic and equal suffrage by secret ballot.[1][2][3] The
Parliament is presided over by the Speaker, who is assisted by at least one deputy speaker. The
electoral system is based on party-list proportional representation. There are 12 multi-
seat constituencies, corresponding to the country's counties.
The Parliament's powers are defined by the Constitution of Albania. It is responsible to amend the
borders of Albania or the Constitution, passes all laws, approves the cabinet, supervises the work of
the government, declares war, decides on cessation of hostilities, adopt the state's budgets and
approve the state's accounts. Another duties includes, calling referenda, performs elections and
appointments conforming to the constitution and applicable legislation, supervises operations of the
government and other civil services responsible to the parliament, grants amnesty for criminal
offences and performs other duties defined by the constitution. The Parliament
also elects the President of the Republic. When the Parliament is elected, the first session shall be
held no later than 20 days after the completion of elections with the President as the speaker.
[4]
 However, all laws passed by the Parliament are published on Fletorja Zyrtare, which is the official
journal of the Government of Albania.[5]
The oldest Assembly with extant records was held in Lezhë on 2 March 1444. The League of
Lezhë (Kuvendi i Lezhës) forged in Lezhë under Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu as the leader against
the Ottoman Empire.[6]

Contents

 1Name and etymology

 2History
o 2.1During the Principality
o 2.2Republic, Kingdom, and World War II
o 2.3Since 1946
 3Powers, duties and responsibilities
 4Composition
o 4.131st Legislature
 5Historical composition
o 5.1Since 1991
 6Committees of the Parliament
 7Legislatures (1920–present)
 8Opening session presiding MPs
 9See also
 10Notes
 11References
 12External links

Name and etymology[edit]

The word Kuvend, in definite form kuvendi, is a very old word in the Albanian language that is
thought to have originated from the Latin word conventus, meaning gathering of people or assembly.
[7]
 Its use dates back to the fifteenth century when men, mainly from northern Albania, gathered to
listen to the debate between Lekë Dukagjini and Skanderbeg on what would be allowed and what
was not.[8] These laws would then be codified into oral laws inherited from generation to generation,
especially in the northern areas of Albania, from Dukagjini itself to what is called Kanuni i Lekë
Dukagjinit or simply Kanuni. In the nineteenth century with the transcription of these laws by
Father Shtjefën Gjeçovi, for the first time the institutional meaning of the word is given in written form
where in Chapter 148, Article 1106 of the Kanun it is said:
Kuvendi is a union of kin or several kins with the chief, the fore-elder, the elder, the young, or the
little ones, who intend to resolve any issue or to bind the Besa.[9]
The term in the modern history of the Albanian state was used from the very first day of its creation.
On 28 November 1912, the most influential and prominent figures of Albania gathered in the so-
called All-Albanian Congress held in Vlorë, where Kuvendi i Vlorës (the Assembly of Vlora) was
constituted and which as the first decision declared unanimously the Independence of Albania from
the Ottoman Empire.[10][11] Kuvend was later reused to name the country's legislative institution after
the communists took power in 1946, refusing to use words borrowed from foreign languages and
previously used by other regimes or governments.[8] Today, words such as Asambleja (the
Assembly), Parlamenti (the Parliament), or the word Kuvendi itself are part of the Albanian
dictionary which is published periodically by the Academy of Sciences of Albania, and have been
used, and continue to be widely used interchangeably to indicate the same thing, by serving more as
a synonym for each other than as a translation.

History[edit]
During the Principality[edit]
See also: Principality of Albania

Building of the Albanian Parliament 1920–1939.

In 1914, with the drafting of the Organic Statute of Albania by the International Control Commission,
the establishment of Asambleja Kombëtare (the National Assembly) as a legislative body was
foreseen. This assembly would consist of a total of 36 members elected by the people, members
appointed by the monarch Wilhelm of Albania, as well as ex officio members. The beginning of
the Balkan Wars and First World War made impossible the establishment of the institution.[12]
After the end of the First World War, between 25 and 27 of December 1918, the Congress of
Durrës decided on the formation of a provisional government, as well as the establishment of
the Pleqësia (the "Council of Elders"), which was essentially a Senate.[13] This Senate would meet
once every two months and the government would have to consult with it on major issues related to
the fate of the state.[14] However, due to internal divisions the Senate never convened, becoming one
of the reasons for the dismissal of the Government of Durrës in January 1920.[15]
After the dismissal of the Government of Durrës, among others, the Congress of Lushnja established
the Senate as the first Albanian legislative body, which would later be named Këshilli
Kombëtar (National Council). The council would consist of 37 members elected by the congressional
delegates themselves and would have a temporary mandate until elections are held. In this period,
the principles of parliamentarism are affirmed for the first time: the appointment and dismissal of the
Government by the Council, as well as the exercise of parliamentary control over it.[16]
The National Council met for the first time on 27 March 1920 in newly established capital, Tirana,
while the first session was opened by Mytesim Këlliçi until through vote Xhemal Naipi was elected,
becoming the 1st Chairman of the National Council.[17] Although the first Albanian legislature
extended its activity in a short period of time, it managed to pass some important laws. Some of the
most important acts were the Lushnja Statute which constituted a constitutional law, as well as the
new electoral law passed on 5 December. This law established the electoral system which was
by indirect election with two rounds. In the first round, based on the administrative division according
to the Districts of Albania, every 500 men would elect a delegate, who consequently in the second
round will elect a total of 75 members of the National Council, thus making one member elected by
about 12,000 eligible voters.[18] Although with many problems, this law paved the way for the creation
of the first two Albanian parties which were: Partia Popullore (the Popular Party) lead by Fan Noli,
and Partia Përparimtare (the Progressive Party) lead by Hoxhë Kadriu and Shefqet Verlaci.[18] The
legislative activity of the National Council ended on 20 December 1920, when the Council was
dissolved to give way to the first elections in Albania on 21 April 1921.[19]

Members of the National Council in 1921, from top to bottom:

Row 1: Leonidha Koja, Koço Tasi, Mustafa Merlika-Kruja, Qazim Kokoshi, Loni Kristo, Bajram Fejziu, Mustafa
Maksuti, Qemal Mullai, Sejfi Vllamasi, Bektash Cakrani.
Row 2: Spiro Jorgo Koleka, Shuk Gurakuqi, Masar Këlliçi, Rexhep Mitrovica, Spiro Papa, Agatokli Xhitoni,
Leonidha Frashëri, Syrja Pojani, Stavro Vinjau, Patuk Saraci, Taqi Buda, Ibrahim Xhindi.
Row 3: Shefqet Dajiu, Ali Këlcyra, Kol Thaçi, Halit Rroji, Banush Hamdi Bega, Kemal Vrioni, Ahmet
Hastopalli, Ndre Mjeda, Maliq Bushati, Pandeli Cale, Andon Beça.
Row 4: Luigj Gurakuqi, Gjergj Fishta, Shefqet Vërlaci, Osman Haxhia, Ahmet Zogolli, Eshref Frashëri.
Row 5: Llambi Goxhomani, Bahri Omari, Ali Koprenca, Milto Tutulani.

Republic, Kingdom, and World War II[edit]

See also: Albanian Republic (1925–1928), Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939), Italian protectorate of
Albania (1939–1943), German occupation of Albania, and Democratic Government of Albania

During the period of the Albanian Republic, the country had a bicameral legislature, consisting of
a Senate (Albanian: Senati) and a Chamber of Deputies (Albanian: Dhoma e Deputetëve).[20] From
1928 to 1939, during the era of the Albanian Monarchy, Albania's legislature was known simply as
the Parliament (Albanian: Parlamenti).[20]
During the Italian occupation of Albania and the existence of the 1939-43 Albanian Kingdom,
Albania's legislature was known as the Supreme Fascist Cooperative (Albanian: Korporativi i Epërm
Fashist).[20] From 1943 to 1944, during Nazi occupation of Albania and the formation of the 1943-44
Albanian Kingdom, Albania's legislature was known as the National Assembly (Albanian: Kuvendi
Kombëtar).[20] From 1944 to late 1945, a National Anti-fascist Liberation Council (Albanian: Këshilli
Antifashist Nacional Çlirimtar) was formed by politicians opposing the Nazi puppet government.
Later during multiple periods of regime changes, Albania's legislature was known as the Constituent
Assembly (Albanian: Asambleja Kushtetuese or Kuvendi Kushtetues). This occurred in 1924, prior to
the formation of the Albanian Republic, in 1928, prior to the formation of the first iteration of the
Albanian Kingdom, and from 1946 to 1947, prior during the era Democratic Government of
Albania and prior to the formation of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.[20]

Since 1946[edit]
See also: People's Socialist Republic of Albania

From 1947 to 1999, during the era of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania, Albania's legislature
was known as the People's Assembly (Albanian: Kuvendi Popullor).[20] Since 1997, the parliament
has been known simply as the Parliament of the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Kuvendi i Republikës
së Shqipërisë).[20][a] Currently the President is elected by the parliament. The current members were
chosen in the