ALBANIA
Before The Fall
The Albanian government showed early signs of concessions in November 1989 when several political prisoners were given their amnesty. This did nothing to prevent further change as several anti-government demonstrations broke out in the following months. Between April and May of 1990 many reforms, such as the allowing of foreign investment and the institutionalizing of a less harsh penal code, were introduced by the Albanian Party of Labour. By December 1990, Albania allowed opposition parties and supreme role of the APL was abolished, with multi-party elections planned to be held in March. The APL still managed to win 60 per cent of the vote. Many were displeased with this outcome, but the APL still appeared to give concessions. Many of those who thought these concessions were not tackling the greater economic and social issues often fled from the country. The elections in March 1992 gave the power to the Democratic Party of Albania. (Crampton, 1997, 403-405)
After The Fall
Economic reform in Albania was aided by foreign financial help as long as it was clear that Albania was moving towards a market economy. The government following the 1992 elections was harsh on communism. Parties that were loyal to former Communist leader Enver Hoxha were banned and many leaders from the communist regime were put in jail. The elections of May 1996 were seen by many as unfair because the DPA had done so much to diminish the influence of its opponents. (Crampton, 1997, 421-423)
