2011-05-23

Gazmir Bizhga

Socialist Party of Albania

Socialist Party of Albania
Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë
Leader Edi Rama
Slogan E vetmja rrugë
Founded 1991
Preceded by Albanian Labor Party
Headquarters Tirana
Newspaper Zëri i Popullit
Youth wing FRESSH
Ideology Democratic socialism
Social democracy,
Social liberalism
Political position Centre-left
International affiliation Socialist international
European affiliation Party of European Socialists (Associate)
Official colours Rose, Green
National Assembly
66 / 140
Website
ps.al
Politics of Albania
Political parties
Elections

The Socialist Party of Albania (Albanian: Partia Socialiste e Shqipërisë), is a centre-left, social democratic and socially liberal political party in Albania, it is currently the leading opposition party in Albania. It seats 66 MPs in the 2009 Albanian parliament (out of a total of 140). It achieved power in 1997 after a political crisis and governmental realignment. In the 2001 General Election it secured 73 seats in the Parliament, which enabled it to form the Government. In the General Election of 3 July 2005, the Socialist Party lost its majority and the Democratic Party of Albania formed the new Government, having secured, with its allies, a majority of 81 seats.

The Albanian Labor Party during its Tenth Congress in June 1991 changed its name to the Socialist Party of Albania, and also changed its ideology from communism to social democracy. Fatos Nano a man from the intelligencia was elected its first Chairman. Nano helped to reformed the old communist party and made it a member of the Socialist International. On 1 September 2005 Nano resigned as the chairman of the Socialist Party, after losing the elections. He was succeeded by Edi Rama, who altered the party ideology to Social liberalism. The Socialist Party of Albania is a member of the Socialist International. Its newspaper is Zëri i Popullit since 1944.

Politicians

Fatos Nano was the head of SPA 1991-2005. In 2005, after a defeat in the national elections, he resigned from his post. Currently, SPA's leader is Edi Rama, the mayor of Tirana. Gramoz Ruçi, former Interior Minister and well-known for his loyalty to the party, is the head of the Socialist Group, which has 64 MP's. Vice-coordinators of the group are Erjon Brace, Vasilika Hysi, Saimir Tahiri, Eduard Shalsi and Taulant Balla. Arta Dade is the party secretary for international affairs, and she is assisted by Arben Ahmetaj, Taulant Balla, Olta Xhacka, Ditmir Bushati and Qemal Minxhozi. Ahmetaj and Balla usually deal with SPA relationships with the other left parties in Europe, especially with the Greek PASOK, with whom SPA is very close. Blendi Klosi (former Culture minister and SPA organizative secretary), is also seen as a very important politician in SPA, as well as Fatmir Xhafaj (lawyer and former Justice Minister). Ben Blushi is a very interesting party official.

References

External links

See also






Retrieved from : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialist_Party_of_Albania