has lost control. This party is headed by the president and Prime Minster and is located on the left of the political spectrum. It has socialist’s views but wants to keep the idea of a democratic nation. The Union for Democracy consists of four parties as well as the small Christian Democratic Party. The lead party is the Democratic Party of Albania. Once in control of the government, it collapsed due to riots and the resignation of Sali Berisha the former president. This coalition seeks protection against human rights, a free market economy, and improved relations with neighboring states. The Movement of Legality Party, Party of National Unity, and Social Democratic Union are the other parties in the coalition. The United Albanian Right is a coalition of Right Wing parties with not much influence on the government. These parties are anti-Communist. Political Issues The Communist party won Albania's first multi-party elections in March 1991 and changed its name to the Socialist Party. But its authority faded as Albania grappled with the birth pains of a market economy and political pluralism. Dozens were killed in food riots during the run-up to the second free elections in March 1992. The Democratic Party won a landslide victory over the ex-communists. Sali Berisha, became Albania's first non-communist president in April 1992. International observers criticized the conduct of a general election in May 1996, boycotted by most of the opposition parties who accused the Democrats of rigging the vote. Berisha's party won 122 seats in the 140-member parliament. The opposition refused to take up the handful of seats it was given in the chamber. Near-lawlessness prevailed in Southern Albania after riots erupted in February and March 1997 when thousands lost their life savings in the collapse of pyramid investment schemes. More than 1,500 people were killed in the violence, which also brought down the Democratic Party government. In fres...
