Political System

Albania is a parliamentary republic based on the separation and balancing of legislative, executive and judicial powers. The constitution is the highest law in the Republic of Albania.

The President

The President of the Republic is the Head of State and represents the unity of the people. He has general powers as Commander-in-Chief of the army and Chair of the National Security Council. He is also the head of the High Council of Justice. Among the president's duties are: addressing the assembly, granting pardons and citizenships, giving military decorations and titles of honour and appointing and withdrawing plenipotentiary representatives of the Republic of Albania to other states and international organisations. The president of the Republic is elected by secret vote and without debate by the Assembly by a majority of three-fifths of all its members every 5 years for a maximum of two five-year terms.

President: Bamir Topi (since 24 July 2007)

Legislative

The Legislative Power is concentrated in the Albanian Parliament, called Assembly ( Kuvendi ). The assembly is elected for four years and consists of 140 deputies. One hundred deputies are elected directly. Forty deputies are elected from the multi-name lists of parties or party coalitions according to their respective order.

Executive

The Executive branch of government is maintained by the Council of Ministers, headed by the prime minister. The exercises every state function that is not given to other organs of state power or to local government. The president of the republic appoints the prime minister on the proposal of the party or coalition of parties that has the majority of seats in the Assembly. Apart from being the highest executive body, the council also adopts and promulgates certain acts of delegated legislation - decrees, ordinances, regulations, resolutions and instructions, and is entitled to initiate the adoption of laws by drafting, deliberating and forwarding bills to the Assembly.

Prime minister: Sali Berisha (since 3 September 2005)

Judiciary

The Judiciary Power is on the hand of the High Council of Justice, Constitutional Court, High Court and other courts as well as the Prosecutors Office. The president has a great power over the judiciary process in Albania, heading the HCJ and appointing judges of all courts.

The Constitutional Court guarantees respect for the Constitution and makes final interpretations of it. The Constitutional Court is subject only to the Constitution.