List of heads of state of Albania Facts for Kids

Albania is a country in Europe with a long and interesting history. Since it declared independence in 1912, Albania has had many different leaders. These leaders are called "heads of state." A head of state is the highest-ranking person in a country, representing it to the world.

Today, the head of state in Albania is the President of the Republic. The president is chosen for a five-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms. In Albania, like in many countries with a parliamentary system, the president's role is mostly ceremonial. This means they perform important duties like welcoming foreign leaders, but the Prime Minister is the one who actually leads the government and makes most of the big decisions.

Leaders of Albania
Timeline of Leaders
See also

Leaders of Albania

This section lists the main leaders who have served as Albania's head of state since 1912.

Independent Albania (1912–1914)

After Albania declared its independence, it had a provisional government.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
1		Ismail Qemali	28 November 1912	22 January 1914	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
2		Fejzi Alizoti	22 January 1914	7 March 1914	Chairman of the Central Administration	Independent

Republic of Central Albania (1913–1914)

During a short period, there was another government in Central Albania.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
—		Esad Toptani	12 October 1913	12 February 1914	Chairman of the Opposition Council of the Elders of Central Albania	Independent

Principality of Albania (1914–1925)

Albania became a principality, led by a prince.

No.	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
3	Wilhelm I	7 March 1914	3 September 1914	Prince of Albania	House of Wied-Neuwied
—	Mustafa Ndroqi	23 September 1914	4 October 1914	Chairman of the First General Council	Independent
4	Esad Toptani	5 October 1914	24 February 1916	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
Austro-Hungarian Command (23 January 1916 – 30 October 1918)
5	Turhan Përmeti	28 December 1918	28 January 1920	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
—	Sulejman Delvina	28 January 1920	30 January 1920	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
High Council of Regency (30 January 1920 – 31 January 1925)
6	Fan Noli	2 July 1924	24 December 1924	Head of state in place of the High Council	People's Party

Albanian Republic (1925–1928)

Albania became a republic with a president.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office		Title	Election	Group
7		Ahmet Zogu	31 January 1925	1 September 1928	President of Albania	1925	Conservative Party

Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939)

Ahmet Zogu became King Zog I, making Albania a kingdom.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
(7)		Zog I	1 September 1928	9 April 1939	King of the Albanians	House of Zogu

Italian Albania (1939–1943)

During World War II, Italy occupied Albania.

No.	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
―	Xhafer Ypi	9 April 1939	12 April 1939	Chairman of the Provisional Administration Committee	Fascist Party
―	Shefqet Vërlaci	12 April 1939	16 April 1939	Chairman of the Provisional Administration Committee	Fascist Party
9	Victor Emmanuel III	16 April 1939	8 September 1943	King of the Albanians	House of Savoy

German occupation of Albania (1943–1944)

Later in World War II, Germany occupied Albania.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
10		Ibrahim Biçaku	14 September 1943	20 October 1943	Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee	Balli Kombëtar
11		Mehdi Frashëri	20 October 1943	25 October 1944	Chairman of the Provisional Administration Committee	Balli Kombëtar

People's Socialist Republic of Albania (1944–1991)

After World War II, Albania became a communist state.

Official Head of State

No.	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
12	Omer Nishani	26 May 1944	1 August 1953	Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly of Albania	Communist Party renamed in 1948 to Party of Labour
13	Haxhi Lleshi	1 August 1953	22 November 1982		Party of Labour
14	Ramiz Alia	22 November 1982	3 April 1992		Party of Labour

Actual Leader

During the communist period, the most powerful person was often the leader of the Communist Party, even if they weren't the official head of state.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in Office		Title	Group
―		Enver Hoxha	20 October 1944	11 April 1985	First Secretary of the Communist Party / Party of Labour of Albania	Communist Party renamed in 1948 to Party of Labour
―		Ramiz Alia	13 April 1985	13 June 1991	First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania	Party of Labour

Republic of Albania (1991–present)

After the fall of communism, Albania became a republic again, with a president as its head of state.

No.	Name	Time in Office		Title	Election	Group
(14)	Ramiz Alia	30 April 1991	3 April 1992	President of Albania	1991	Party of Labour
―	Kastriot Islami	3 April 1992	6 April 1992	Speaker of the Parliament	―	Socialist Party
―	Pjetër Arbnori	6 April 1992	9 April 1992	Speaker of the Parliament	―	Democratic Party
15	Sali Berisha	9 April 1992	24 July 1997	President of Albania	1992	Democratic Party
―	Skënder Gjinushi	24 July 1997		Speaker of the Parliament	―	Socialist Party
16	Rexhep Meidani	24 July 1997	24 July 2002	President of Albania	1997	Socialist Party
9	Alfred Moisiu	24 July 2002	24 July 2007		2002	Independent
17	Bamir Topi	24 July 2007	24 July 2012		2007	Democratic Party
18	Bujar Nishani	24 July 2012	24 July 2017		2012	Democratic Party
19	Ilir Meta	24 July 2017	24 July 2022		2017	Socialist Movement for Integration
20	Bajram Begaj	24 July 2022	Incumbent		2022	Independent