Albania commemorates 34 years since the fall of communism

On December 8, Youth Day, Albania commemorates the 34th anniversary of the student protests that led to the fall of one of Europe’s harshest communist regimes. What began as a simple strike for better dormitory conditions, including access to electricity and clean water, escalated into a powerful hunger strike with political demands, ultimately forcing the last communist leader, Ramiz Alia, to allow political pluralism.

Why is this important: The student movement of December 1990 was a turning moment in Albania’s history, symbolizing the country’s transition from a totalitarian regime to democracy. These protests sparked the collapse of nearly five decades of communist rule, ushering in a new era of political pluralism and freedom. December 8 is now observed as a national holiday in Albania, serving as a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made for democracy.

Context: Political leaders across the spectrum mark the occasion with messages honoring the events and their impact. For the Socialist Party, which was founded in 1992 as a successor to the Labor Party that ruled Albania from 1945 to 1991, this day represents an opportunity to emphasize its transformation into a modern, center-left party with a European progressive agenda. Speaker of Parliament Elisa Spiropali used her message this year to call for overcoming the lingering divisions from Albania’s communist past.

“We move forward toward our shared dream, leaving behind the ghosts of communism and the false idols of transition who sow division and hatred,” said Spiropali, hinting at her political opponents.

However, this message drew criticism from Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha, who played a central role in the 1990 protests. Berisha, during a visit to Student City, where the protests began, accused the government of authoritarianism, calling Prime Minister Edi Rama a worse dictator than the communists. He rallied Democratic youth, declaring that the opposition will triumph in the May 11 elections.

Berisha’s role in the 1990 protests remains controversial, with some alleging that he was installed as the Democratic Party leader by Ramiz Alia to manage the transition and prevent a revolutionary upheaval similar to Romania’s overthrow of Nicolae Ceaușescu. Berisha, however, has consistently portrayed himself as a staunch anti-communist.

Legacy of the protests: The transition to democracy in Albania was relatively peaceful compared to other former communist states. Although many former communist leaders faced trials, sentences were lenient, and many lived out their lives without significant repercussions. The 1990 protests stand as a defining chapter in Albania’s journey toward democracy, serving as a reminder of the importance of political freedom and citizen activism.