Status

The Macedonian daily Dnevnik reports that there are two Balli Kombëtar parties active in Albania (13 Oct. 2006). The two parties are the Party of the Albanian National Front (Partia Balli Kombëtar Shqiptar, PBK) (Political Parties of the World 2005, 10) and the Democratic National Front Party (Partia Balli Kombëtar Demokrat, PBKD) (Political Handbook of the World: 2005-2006 Dec. 2005, 18).

Party of the Albanian National Front (PBK)

The PBK is one of Albania's oldest political parties (Political Parties of the World 2005, 10). According to Political Parties of the World the party is a "right-wing, nationalist party" which joined the Union for Victory coalition led by the Democratic Party in the 2001 parliamentary elections (ibid.). However, further or corroborating information on the party's ideology could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. The PBK's involvement with the coalition led to disagreements among party members, some of whom eventually left the party (ibid.). According to a press release issued in January 2006, the PBK supports the independence of Kosovo (ATA 21 Jan. 2006).

Leadership and members

Information on the number of members of the PBK could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate, while information on the party's leadership was contradictory.

While several media reports indicate that the chairman of the PBK is Adriatik Alimadhi (ATA 20 Oct. 2006; ibid. 18 June 2005; IFES n.d.), a 31 July 2006 Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA) article states that Artur Roshi was the party's Chairman and Political Parties of the World claims that the party is led by Abaz Ermenji (2005, 10). According to an ATA article, the PBK's secretary general is Arben Hoxha (27 Nov. 2005).

In December 2005, Albanian President Alfred Moisiu met with the leaders of non-parliamentarian political parties, including PBK Chairman Adriatik Alimadhi, to discuss how to improve the electoral system (ATA 6 Dec. 2005; Hindustan Times 6 Dec. 2005). President Moisiu met with Alimadhi again in October 2006 to discuss electoral reforms (ATA 20 Oct. 2006).

PBK participation in the 2005 elections

According to figures released by the Central Elections Commission (CEC) and published by ATA, the PBK garnered 1.67 percent of the popular vote in Albania's 3 July 2005 parliamentary elections (10 July 2005), although it reportedly did not win any seats (OSCE 7 Nov. 2005, 9; IFES n.d.). ATA reported that the Central Electoral Commission denied PBK's request to join the Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Well-Being coalition because it missed the deadline to apply (17 June 2005).

While the number of members belonging to the PBK could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate, an ATA report provides the names of some of the PBK candidates running in the 3 July 2005 parliamentary elections, including Mustafa Ymeri in Zone 52, Sanije Fatkoja in Zone 53, Alket Mekshi in Zone 54, Shafqet Guri in Zone 55, Flamur Hoxha in Zone 56, Hysen Hysenllari in Zone 57 and Arjan Ceka in Zone 58 (ATA 18 June 2005). A 1 July 2005 ATA report indicates that the PBK candidate for Zone 75 in Kucove, Syrja Namik Malasi, dropped out of the race, although the reason for this decision was unclear.

Information indicating whether members of the PBK held office at the national or local levels could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, according to an election monitoring report produced by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), one outgoing member of parliament (MP) said that he was a member of the PBK, although he had been elected to parliament under another party and was running for another party for the 2005 elections (7 Nov. 2005, 9). In order to be registered with the CEC, parties represented in the outgoing parliament must submit the signature of at least one MP stating that s/he is a member of the party in question, while parties not represented in parliament must submit a petition of 7,000 to 10,000 votes (depending on whether they are running independently or as part of a coalition) (OSCE 7 Nov. 2005, 9).

Treatment of members

A report published by the Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC) in August 2003 states that, despite the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, there have been cases in which protestors "have been brutally treated and detained at the Police Station, among them an MP [member of parliament] of Balli Kombëtar" (n.d., 4). However, this information could not be corroborated among sources consulted by the Research Directorate, nor could the Research Directorate find more recent reports of violence against members of Balli Kombëtar.

Democratic National Front Party (PBKD)

The Democratic National Front Party (Partia Balli Kombëtar Demokrat, PBKD) was founded in 1998 by Hysen Selfo, the former Deputy Chairperson of the PBK, after he was expelled from the PBK for disagreeing with Abaz Ermenji (Political Handbook of the World 2005-2006 Dec. 2005, 18). On 28 August 2006, Hindustan Times reported that Albanian President Alfred Moisiu paid his respects to Selfo, who had recently died.

In Albania's July 2005 parliamentary elections, the PBKD reportedly won 0.56 percent of the popular vote (ATA 10 July 2005). The PBKD ran under a coalition called the Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Wellbeing (SeeNews 28 June 2005; OSCE 7 Nov. 2005, 9). This coalition comprises six parties in addition to the PBK, namely the New Democratic Party (PDr), the Republican Party (PR), the Christian Democratic Party (PDK), the Liberal Union Party (PBLD), the Movement for Human Rights Party (PLDLN) and the Liberal Party of Democratic Union (PBD) (SeeNews 28 June 2005). In Albanian's July 2005 elections, the coalition won 18 seats of the 140 seats in parliament (OSCE 7 Nov. 2005, 30).

Information on the treatment of members of the PBKD could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within time constraints.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Albanian Helsinki Committee (AHC). N.d. Report: The Albanian Helsinki Committee Activities - May-August 2003. http://www.ahc.org.al/te%20tjera/report%20may%20-%20august%202003.pdf [Accessed 1 Nov. 2006]

Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA). 20 October 2006. "Moisiu Talks with NFP over Electoral Reforms Issue." (Factiva)

_____. 31 July 2006. "National Front Party: The Opposition Aims to Increase the Tension in the Country in Artificial Manner." (Factiva)

_____. 21 January 2006. "Albanian Party Urges Kosovars to Follow Deceased Leader's Road." (Factiva/BBC Monitoring European)

_____. 6 December 2005. "President Moisiu Asks from Albanian Politics to Begin Work on Election Reform." (Factiva)

_____. 27 November 2005. A. Struga. "NFP Hails Govt Decision on Ceremonial of Independence, Liberation Day." (Factiva)

_____. 10 July 2005. M. Duro. "CEC Publishes Percentage of Proportional System Support for Political Parties in 98 Constituencies." (Factiva)

_____. 1 July 2005. Z. Plaku. "National Front Party Candidate in Kucove Withdraws from Electoral Race." (Factiva)

_____. 18 June 2005. D. Shkodrani. "Balli Kombetar Party Introduces Candidates for Deputy in July 3 Elections in Elbasan." (Factiva)

_____. 17 June 2005. Maela Marini. "KQZ Turns Down Request of Balli Kombëtar Party for Involvement in Coalition 'Alliance for Freedom, Justice and Well-Being'." (Factiva)

_____. 27 April 2005. "Albanian Parties Sign Code of Ethics for Election Campaign." (Factiva/BBC Monitoring European)

Dnevnik [Skopje, in Macedonian]. 13 April 2006. Mariela Trajkovska. "Macedonian Albanian Party Denies Cooperation with 'Radical Balli Kombetar'." (Factiva/BBC Monitoring European)

Hindustan Times [New Delhi]. 28 August 2006. "Albania: President Moisiu Pays Homage to Politician Hysen Selfo." (Factiva/US Fed News)

_____. 6 December 2005. "President Moisiu Receives Leaders of Non Parliamentarian Political Parties." (Factiva/US Fed News)

International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES) [Washington, DC]. N.d. "IFES Election Guide - Election Profile for Albania." http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=146 [Accessed 25 Oct. 2006]

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). 7 November 2005. Republic of Albania Parliamentary Elections 3 July 2005: OSCE/ODIHR Election Observation Mission Report. http://www.osce.org/documents/odihr/2005/11/16905_en.pdf [Accessed 8 Nov. 2006]

Political Handbook of the World: 2005-2006. December 2005. "Albania." Edited by Arthur Banks, Thomas Muller, and William Overstreet. Washington, DC: CQ Press.

Political Parties of the World. 2005. 6th ed. "Albania." Edited by Bogdan Szajkowski. London, UK: John Harper Publishing.

South East Europe Newswire (SeeNews) [Sofia]. 28 June 2005. "Key Facts - Main Political Parties in Albania's Sunday Elections." (Factiva)

Internet Sites, including: Amnesty International (AI), Angus Reid Consultants, Balli Kombëtar Web site [inaccessible], Le Courrier des Balkans [Arcueil, France], European Country of Origin Information Network (ecoi.net), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR), International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF), Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Southeast European Times (SETimes) [Tirana], Transitions Online (TOL) [Prague], United States Department of State, World News Connection (WNC).
Publications: The Europa World Year Book 2006.