List of heads of state of Albania Facts for Kids

Albania is a country in Europe. Since 1912, when Albania declared its independence, many different leaders have been in charge. These leaders are called heads of state.

After the end of communist rule in 1991, Albania became a republic. Today, the main head of state is the President. The President is chosen for a five-year term and can serve for a maximum of two terms. This is written in Albania's Constitution. In Albania, like in many countries with a parliamentary system, the President's job is mostly ceremonial. The Prime Minister is the one who really leads the government.

Who has led Albania?
Timeline of Albanian Leaders
Images for kids
See also

Who has led Albania?

Albania has had many different types of leaders throughout its history. Let's look at some of the most important ones.

Early Independent Albania (1912–1914)

After Albania declared independence in 1912, it had a provisional (temporary) government.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in office			Title	Political Group
1		Ismail Qemali (1844–1919)	28 November 1912	22 January 1914	1 year, 55 days	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
2		Fejzi Alizoti (1874–1945)	22 January 1914	7 March 1914	44 days	Chairman of the Central Administration	Independent

Principality of Albania (1914–1925)

Albania became a principality, which means it was ruled by a prince.

No.	Name	Time in office			Title	Political Group
3	Wilhelm I (1876–1945)	7 March 1914	3 September 1914	180 days	Prince of Albania	House of Wied-Neuwied
4	Esad Toptani (1863–1920)	5 October 1914	24 February 1916	1 year, 142 days	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
During World War I, Albania was occupied by Austro-Hungarian forces from 1916 to 1918.
5	Turhan Përmeti (1839–1927)	28 December 1918	28 January 1920	1 year, 31 days	Chairman of the Provisional Government	Independent
From 1920 to 1925, Albania was governed by a group called the High Council of Regency.
6	Fan Noli (1882–1965)	2 July 1924	24 December 1924	175 days	Head of state in place of the High Council	People's Party

Albanian Republic (1925–1928)

Albania became a republic, with a President as its head of state.

No.	Portrait	Name	Time in office			Title	Election	Political Group
7		Ahmet Zogu (1895–1961)	31 January 1925	1 September 1928	3 years, 213 days	President of Albania	1925	Conservative Party

Albanian Kingdom (1928–1939)

Ahmet Zogu later became King of Albania.

No.	Portrait	Name	Reign			Title	Political Group
(7)		Zog I (1895–1961)	1 September 1928	7 April 1939	10 years, 218 days	King of the Albanians	House of Zogu

Italian and German Occupations (1939–1944)

During World War II, Albania was occupied by Italy and then by Germany.

No.	Name	Time in office			Title	Political Group
―	Xhafer Ypi (1880–1940)	9 April 1939	12 April 1939	3 days	Chairman of the Provisional Administration Committee	Fascist Party
―	Shefqet Vërlaci (1877–1946)	12 April 1939	16 April 1939	4 days	Chairman of the Provisional Administration Committee	Fascist Party
9	Victor Emmanuel III (1869–1947)	16 April 1939	8 September 1943	4 years, 145 days	King of the Albanians	House of Savoy
10	Ibrahim Biçaku (1905–1977)	14 September 1943	20 October 1943	36 days	Chairman of the Provisional Executive Committee	Balli Kombëtar
11	Mehdi Frashëri (1872–1963)	20 October 1943	25 October 1944	1 year, 5 days	Chairman of the Provisional Administration Committee	Balli Kombëtar

Communist Albania (1944–1991)

After World War II, Albania became a communist state. It was officially called the People's Socialist Republic of Albania.

Official Head of State

No.	Name	Time in office			Title	Political Group
12	Omer Nishani (1887–1954)	26 May 1944	1 August 1953	9 years, 67 days	Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly	Communist Party (later Party of Labour)
13	Haxhi Lleshi (1913–1998)	1 August 1953	22 November 1982	29 years, 113 days	Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly	Party of Labour
14	Ramiz Alia (1925–2011)	22 November 1982	3 April 1992	9 years, 133 days	Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly	Party of Labour

Real Leader (De-facto)

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	Political Group
―		Enver Hoxha (1908–1985)	20 October 1944	11 April 1985 †	40 years, 173 days	First Secretary of the Communist Party / Party of Labour	Communist Party (later Party of Labour)
―		Ramiz Alia (1925–2011)	13 April 1985	13 June 1991	6 years, 21 days	First Secretary of the Party of Labour	Party of Labour

Republic of Albania (1991–Present)

After communism ended, Albania became a democratic republic. The President is now the head of state.

No.	Name	Time in office			Title	Election	Political Group
(14)	Ramiz Alia (1925–2011)	30 April 1991	3 April 1992	339 days	President of Albania	1991	Party of Labour
15	Sali Berisha (born 1944)	9 April 1992	24 July 1997	5 years, 106 days	President of Albania	1992	Democratic Party
16	Rexhep Meidani (born 1944)	24 July 1997	24 July 2002	5 years	President of Albania	1997	Socialist Party
9	Alfred Moisiu (born 1929)	24 July 2002	24 July 2007	5 years	President of Albania	2002	Independent
17	Bamir Topi (born 1957)	24 July 2007	24 July 2012	5 years	President of Albania	2007	Democratic Party
18	Bujar Nishani (1966–2022)	24 July 2012	24 July 2017	5 years	President of Albania	2012	Democratic Party
19	Ilir Meta (born 1969)	24 July 2017	24 July 2022	5 years	President of Albania	2017	Socialist Movement for Integration
20	Bajram Begaj (born 1967)	24 July 2022	Incumbent	2 years, 334 days	President of Albania	2022	Independent

Timeline of Albanian Leaders

Images for kids

Esad Toptani, Chairman of the Opposition Council of the Elders of Central Albania
Mustafa Ndroqi, Chairman of the First General Council
Sulejman Delvina, Chairman of the Provisional Government
Kastriot Islami, Speaker of the Parliament (acting President)
Pjetër Arbnori, Speaker of the Parliament (acting President)
Skënder Gjinushi, Speaker of the Parliament (acting President)