A referendum on restoring the monarchy was held in
Albania on 29 June 1997 alongside
parliamentary elections.[1] The proposal was rejected by 66.7% of voters.[2] However, former
Crown PrinceLeka claimed that 65.7% voted in favour.[3]
After a recount it was announced that the restoration was rejected by approximately two-thirds of those voting.[5] The former Crown Prince questioned the independence of the election. Police intervened, gunfire broke out, one person was killed, and Leka fled.
On 30 November 2011, the former crown prince died, his son (Leka II) succeeding him as pretender to the defunct throne. That month, Prime Minister
Sali Berisha questioned whether there was vote manipulation in the referendum, stating that "The referendum was held under the flares of a communist rebellion and cannot be considered a closed issue."[6]
A referendum on restoring the monarchy was held in
Albania on 29 June 1997 alongside
parliamentary elections.[1] The proposal was rejected by 66.7% of voters.[2] However, former
Crown PrinceLeka claimed that 65.7% voted in favour.[3]
After a recount it was announced that the restoration was rejected by approximately two-thirds of those voting.[5] The former Crown Prince questioned the independence of the election. Police intervened, gunfire broke out, one person was killed, and Leka fled.
On 30 November 2011, the former crown prince died, his son (Leka II) succeeding him as pretender to the defunct throne. That month, Prime Minister
Sali Berisha questioned whether there was vote manipulation in the referendum, stating that "The referendum was held under the flares of a communist rebellion and cannot be considered a closed issue."[6]