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100 years - The triumph of the legitimacy of the free vote

2024-12-24 07:40:00, Opinione Ekrem Spahiu

Today, it is December 24, 2024, and this day should be a reflection of the conscience and political will of the entire political spectrum of Albania, to officially recognize the achievement 100 years ago of restoring legitimacy in Albania.

Legitimacy - the right and popular acceptance of an authority to exercise power on behalf of the majority is the cornerstone of a stable state. Only on the basis of this legitimacy can efficient institutions be established and function, which, in turn, create conditions for political stability, national security and social-economic prosperity. Only on the basis of this legitimacy can international recognition and respect be ensured.

In this prism, the legitimate political process and product in Albania, started in 1923, diverted by illegitimate ways in June 1924 and restored on December 24, 1924, should be seen.

100 years - The triumph of the legitimacy of the free vote

After the elections of December 27, 1923 for the Constitutional Assembly, Ahmet Zogu created the new government. Based on the fact that Zogu was the longest-serving Prime Minister from 1912 and with the defeat in the elections, the opposition groups found it very difficult to come to power through legal means, therefore they became more aggressive and intensified their activity to prevent the consolidation of state institutions and the normal political and constitutional development of the country. Not being able to achieve the goal through the elections, they then resorted to undemocratic means: the physical elimination of Prime Minister Ahmet Zogu by assassination.

The assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of the country greatly complicated the political situation. Ahmet Zogu, in order not to cause a further and irreversible complication of the country's stability and security, after two days on February 25, 1924, resigned from the post of Prime Minister, clearly and wisely giving the message that, for him, more important were the political stability and security of the country.

After the assassination and the resignation of Ahmet Zog, the country was covered by the governance crisis. Although many concessions were made to the opposition by successive governments, giving it several ministries, among them the Ministry of War, it did not use these as instruments of parliamentary balance, but as potential instruments for the overthrow of power.

100 years - The triumph of the legitimacy of the free vote

Using as bait the unclear circumstances that initially accompanied the crime of Avni Rustemi's murder, the opposition abandoned its parliamentary mission, refused to participate in the work of the Constitutional Assembly. She turned this event into a political manifestation and revolutionary hysteria. In accordance with this philosophy, the armed uprising was organized to overthrow the legitimate bodies, using the army for this purpose.

Within a few days, insurgent forces, from all parts of the country, entered Tirana on June 10, 1924. Thus, the opposition came to power with weapons and in an unconstitutional manner.

Communist historiography has described this as a revolution, touting its similarity to the Russian Revolution of 1917. But, in reality, the use of military institutions by members of parliament to overthrow the legitimate government cannot be called anything other than a coup d'état.

100 years - The triumph of the legitimacy of the free vote

In such circumstances of taking power, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved by itself. The choice of the prime minister of this "revolution", on June 16, 1924, was made by lot, as if it were a game of chance. The parliament was already non-existent, but even if there was, the deputies of the "revolution" did not constitute the majority.

The promises for radical reforms that the "revolutionary" government made, not only were not realized, but those values ??that had been achieved were also destroyed, because Noli had no instrument with a national identity for the realization of his program. Under these conditions of an illegitimate government unable to guarantee national security, anarchy covered the country.

The lack of legitimacy of the government that came to power with the revolution is evidenced, perhaps more clearly, by the level of international recognition. As is known, the Government of Noli, which did not come this way, was recognized only by two countries, Greece and the Soviet Union. This fact is very significant: the communist Soviet Union felt that it was isolated and wanted to experiment with Bolshevism in the Balkans, while Greece thus calculated more opportunities to realize its expansionist goals.

Great Britain and other Western democracies did not accept any contact at least until elections were held in Albania that legitimized the government by popular will. Moreover, Albania was thus seen as a hotbed of Bolshevism's instability in the Balkans.

100 years - The triumph of the legitimacy of the free vote

Under these conditions, the return of Ahmet Zogu to power was the only alternative that could restore the confidence of the people. Meanwhile, the European powers, especially the British one, would not want to allow a communist hearth in the Balkans, therefore they expressed diplomatic and political support for the restoration of legitimacy.

For these reasons, the restoration of legitimacy on December 24, 1924 is a major contribution to stability and national security and to the Albanian state. Meanwhile, the restoration of the legitimate political process paved the way for almost immediate international recognition. With this contribution, Zogu and the legitimate majority saved Albania from unforeseen developments that were bringing the turbulent eddies and black clouds between the two world wars.

Therefore, it is in the honor, will and culture of the Albanian nation, of its state institutions, to put in place the unworthy denial that was made to the date of December 24, 1924.

Now, a century later, when it is believed that we have a more complete national and European political awareness, these institutions do themselves the honor of recognizing that the period 1920-1924, which is crowned with the return of legitimacy on December 24, 1924, is the school period of Albanian democracy.

In appreciation of this important historical date, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the declaration of independence, the Albanian state with a dignified ceremony on December 24, 2012, on "Zogu I" Boulevard, the monument of Ahmet Zogu was placed as the main protagonist of the "Triumph of Legality" ".

It is in the dignity of the Albanian State Institutions to put the date December 24, 1924 in the calendar of marked days of the Albanian nation and state.