The Albanian form of state, from national independence to the 1925 Constitution

Abstract

The Albanian form of state, from national independence to the 1925 Constitution - Albania, which had been part of the European territories of the Ottoman Empire since the 15th century, gained independence on November 28, 1912, when prominent nationalist activists, led by Ismail Qemali, severed ties with the empire. In February 1914, the European powers established the Principality of Albania under the rule of the German-born Prince Wilhelm von Wied. Prince Wied's reign began during a period of instability. Due to persistent political factionalism and the challenges posed by World War I, Prince Wied resigned after six months, leading to the principality's collapse. The period between Albania's declaration of independence and the start of World War II was considered to be characterized by a rapid succession of historical and legal changes. This tumultuous context helps explain why the nation's founders appear to have struggled to establish a stable governmental structure. As a result, the initial institutions often failed to live up to the constitutional ideals they were intended to embody. As we commemorate the centenary of the first Albanian national constitution of 1925, keeping in mind the conditions, circumstances, and prevailing ideologies that shaped this important legal and political milestone in Albanian history, it is important to emphasize that it represents a crucial legal development with a significant impact on the country's legal history.

Keywords: Constitution; Form of state; Republicanism; Monarchy; Presidential powers; The search for a stable state form