Albanian National Front Party
Partia Balli Kombëtar Shqiptar
AbbreviationPBK
ChairmanAdriatik Alimadhi
Secretary-GeneralArben Hoxha
FounderAbas Ermenji
Founded23 December 1989 (1989-12-23)
Preceded byBalli Kombëtar (1939–1945)
HeadquartersTirana, Albania
Pristina, Kosovo
Tetovo, North Macedonia
Ideology
Political positionFar-right[1]
ColoursAlbanian national colours:
  Red
  Black
SloganAlbania of Albanians
(Shqipëria e shqiptarëve)
Assembly of Albania
0 / 140
Assembly of Kosovo
0 / 120
Assembly of North Macedonia
0 / 120
Website
ballikombetar.info

The Albanian National Front Party (Albanian: Partia Balli Kombëtar Shqiptar, PBK) is a nationalist[2] political party in Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia.

History

The Balli Kombëtar was revived in Albania as a political party in the early 1990s . Founded under the leadership of Abas Ermenji, a surviving Ballist, who escaped from Albania when the communists declared victory in 1945.[3] In 1996 it won 5 percent of the popular vote and two seats in parliament.[3] It has since declined. In the 2001 elections it was part of the Union for Victory (Bashkimi për Fitoren) coalition which received 37.1% of the vote and 46 members of parliament.

The National Front has chapters in Kosovo, led by Sylejman Daka & in North Macedonia, led by Vebi Xhemaili.

Ideology

The National Front bear a strong resemblance to their predecessors of the same name, the Balli Kombëtar. The National Front is an independent political formation, whose goals are to unite the Albanian people residing within and outside the borders of Albania regardless of gender, religion and social status.[4] The party strives to create the conditions of spiritual, cultural and political unity of the Albanian people within and outside of Albania.[4] The National Front advocate high economic and educational development of Albanians as well as strengthening the legal basis of the Albanian state, institutions, and for the prosperity of the country and improvement of the material culture of the Albanian people.[4]

Branches

Kosovo

The Kosovo branch of the National Front was formed in 1997 by Naser Husaj. Prior to the National Front in Kosovo, the Albanian National Front Strongly advocated for an independent Kosovo from Yugoslavia prior to the break up. On 6 August 1998, the National Front in Albania demanded that Albania must declare war on Serbia to help fight for the Kosovars in the Kosovo War.[5] However, the request was denied by all parties in the Albanian assembly at the time.[5]

North Macedonia

The North Macedonia branch of the National front was formed in Tetovo in 2004.[6] Reports circulated that leaflets were spreading in Tetovo stating that the general headquarters of the National Front invites the Albanian population to join this organization in the Šar Mountains in order to "resolve the Albanian question" once and for all.[6] They strongly opposed the autonomy referendum in 2004, calling the referendum anti-Albanian.[7]

The National Front are at odds with the Macedonian Albanian political parties, Democratic Union for Integration and Democratic Party of Albanians.[8] The National Front implore all Albanians of Macedonia to not take into account any promises or statements by Menduh Thaçi or Ali Ahmeti, claiming they do not represent the Albanians of North Macedonia and consider them as 'puppets' controlled by the government.[8]

Menduh Thaçi has claimed that as long as there is the Democratic Party of Albanians in North Macedonia, there will be no formation of the National Front party.[8] Ali Ahmeti, a former socialist and one time Guerrilla fighter (many KLA commanders and soldiers dispute his glorified representation)[9] is also against the National Front as he believes they are against preserving the integrity and sovereignty of North Macedonia.[9]

Membership

There are prerequisites that need to be fulfilled to become a member of the party. Not accepted to join the party are:[4]

  • Those who propagate views and ideas that are unconstitutional & anti-national.
  • Former members of the Party of Labour of Albania and Communist Party of Albania, communists, fascists, anti-nationalists, & former agents of the Sigurimi.
  • Thieves, criminals and members of organised crime.
  • Those who belong to another party.

PBK Council

Members of the Council:[10]

  • Chairman: Adriatik Alimadhi
  • Deputy Chairman: Majlinda Toro
  • Chairman of National Council: Luan Myftiu
  • Secretary General: Arben Hoxha
  • Organizing Secretary: Kujtim Lamaj

References

  1. ↑ "Albania and Freedoms". sites.lafayette.edu. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  2. ↑ Nordsieck, Wolfram. "Albania". Parties and Elections in Europe. Archived from the original on 6 October 2002. Retrieved 3 May 2019.
  3. 1 2 Robert Elsie. "Historical Dictionary of Albania" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 BK. "Statute of the National Front". Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  5. 1 2 ATA news agency. "Albania: minor party demands war on Serbia". Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  6. 1 2 Fakti. "Pan-Albanian national front "reborn" in Macedonia". Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. ↑ Fakti. "Macedonia: National Front calls for united Albanian position on referendum". Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 Dnevnik. "Macedonian Albanian party denies cooperation with "radical Balli Kombetar". Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  9. 1 2 Balkan Report. "We Are Not Interested In Great Albania Or Great Kosova". Archived from the original on 28 December 2009. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  10. ↑ BK. "PBK". Retrieved 3 June 2012.
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