POLITICAL LIFE POLITICAL LIFE INTRODUCTION Since 1944, Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia shared in political life common elements such as the establishment a one party system, the imposition of a new ideology, construction of new constitutions, the creation of a personality cult towards political leaders and the important role of propaganda in society. However there were also specific elements for each country, such as the issue of statehood for Macedonia or the big emphasis on class struggle in Albania. As a result of the transition in Eastern Europe in the late eighties, radical changes could be noticed in the political systems in Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia. The three countries experienced the formation of different political parties, free elections and the application of the human rights. How far these changes are everyday reality is left to the judgment of the users of these materials. Political life deals with the following subtopics: Constitutions The constitution is the foundation of the modern state. It shows how the government of the state is organised and what are the rights and responsibilities of the citizens, or at least it should be. As it sometimes turns out that the constitution is different from reality. This subtopic presents the developments in the constitutions of Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia since 1945 and makes critical comparisons between the constitutions and the real situation. Elections After 1945 Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia had political systems in which the citizens were allowed to take part in elections. But elections can be organised in different ways and can have different political purposes. What was the meaning of elections in a one party-system and what in a multi-party system? Political persons In every society political leaders and powerful people play an important role. But in some systems their power can be limited. In other systems the power of the leadership is cultivated. This subtopic looks for the similarities and differences in political leadership in Albania, Macedonia and Bulgaria since 1945. Human rights Human rights are a relatively modern concept in political life. Today they form an important internationally recognised criterion to judge the quality of life in different countries and to morally judge governments. This was not always the same in the past. This subtopic looks at the development of human rights like political freedom, minority rights, children’s rights and women’s rights in Albania, Bulgaria and Macedonia. In how far were these human rights adopted and respected during the different political regimes since 1945 and was there a difference between theory and reality? Doc. 1 Bulgaria Area: 110,910 sq km Population: 7,621,337 (July 2002 est.) Capital: Sofia National holiday: Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) BG MK Macedonia AL Area: Albania 25,333 sq km Area: Population: 28,748 sq km 2,054,800 (July 2002 est.) Population: Capital: 3,544,841 (July 2002 est.) Skopje Capital: National holiday: Tirana Independence Day, 8 September (1991) National holiday: Uprising Day, 2 August (1903) Independence Day, 28 November (1912) UNDERSTANDING A SHARED PAST LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE 17 18 Timeline Doc. 2 UNDERSTANDING A SHARED PAST LEARNINGFOR THEFUTURE SHAREDPAST A UNDERSTANDING 2. Whatwas theimpactofchanges inpoliticallifeoneveryday life? 1. Whatwerethechanges inpoliticallifethethreecountriesbetween1944 and today? CONSTITUTIONS 1946 1947 1963 1971 1974 1976 1991 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 AlbaniaBulgaria Macedonia Overall keyquestions: ELECTIONS 1944 1989 1990 1991 Albania 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Bulgaria 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Macedonia 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 One party system Multy party system POLITICAL LEADERS Enver Hoxha Georgi Dimitrov Todor Zivkov Josip Broz - Tito 1946 POLITICAL LIFE 1945 1980 1985 1989 1944 POLITICAL LIFE Doc. 3 Albanian National Anthem National symbols of Albania United around the flag, With one desire and goal, Let us pledge our word of honor To fight for our salvation Only he who is a born traitor Averts from the struggle. He who is brave is not daunted, But falls - a martyr to the cause. With arms in hand we shall remain, To guard our fatherland terrain. Our rights we will not bequeath, Enemies have no place here. For the Lord Himself has said, That nations vanish from the earth, But Albania shall live on, Because for her, it is for her that we fight. Doc. 4 National symbols of Bulgaria Bulgarian National Anthem Proud Balkan Mountains, Next to them the Danube flows, The sun sheds its light over Thrace, Shining over Pirin Chorus: Dear native land, Your beauty and your charm, Ah, they never end Many fighters gave their life For our dear nation, Mother, give us strength To follow in their steps Doc. 5 Macedonian National Anthem National symbols of Macedonia Today above Macedonia, the new sun of liberty is born The Macedonians fight for their own rights! The Macedonians fight for their own rights! For now on, the flag flies (that) of the Krushevo Republic Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli Dame Gruev, Sandanski! Goce Delchev, Pitu Guli Dame Gruev, Sandanski! The Macedonian forests sing in one voice new songs, of news that Macedonia is liberated and liberated it lives! Macedonia is liberated and liberated it lives! UNDERSTANDING A SHARED PAST LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE 19 CONSTITUTIONS POLITICAL LIFE CONSTITUTIONS ALBANIA Key questions 1. What kind of changes have been made to the political systems since 1944 in the respective countries ? 2. How did the Constitutions legislate the political system ? 3. In which way does the theoretical intention diverge from practical use/reality ? 4. How did the Constitution legislate the political system? Doc. 6 People’s Assembly ( P. A.) Political System according to the - Supreme State Authority 1946 Constitution - Elected every 4 years - Convenes twice a year - Compiles, approves, and rescinds laws - Amends the Constitution Presidium of the People’s Assembly - Permanent State Authority elected by P.A. - Interprets conformity of laws with Constitution and compiles decrees - Exercises the right of pardon - Nominates and discharges ministers - Announces general mobilization in case of aggression - Announces referenda - Ratifies international treaties - Nominates the general prosecutor and public prosecutors Supreme Court General Public Prosecutor Government - Supreme executive and commanding authority of state power. - Nominated by P.A. People’s Councils - Municipal authorities elected - every two years (Localities) - and every three years (Districts, Prefectures) Doc. 7 Article 1 Political regime according to the Albania is a People’s Republic where total power emanates 1946 Constitution from people and belongs to it. Doc. 8 …Riza Dani rose and made a provocative insinuation against the The essence of the 1946 essence of the Constitution draft…He went on to attack the Constitution Constitution draft, because, according to him , it was “ideological and not national in spirit”! “I stand for a free democracy and want the Constitution to be inspired by that principle!” declared Riza Dani… E. Hoxha. Laying the Of course, Riza was in favour of a “ free” bourgeois democracy foundations of the new Albania. so that he and his ilk would really be free to make profits, to be the Tirana 1984 elite of the nation and decide its fate according to their own interests. Doc. 9 …At another meeting of the People’s Assembly, another associate of Political parties in the 1946 Dani’s and Kokoshi’s raised an issue which was finished: he sought Constitution E. Hoxha. Laying the the formation of other “democratic parties which, he stated “should foundations of the new Albania. exist in the same way as the communist party of Albania”. The whole Tirana 1984. Assembly rose and rejected his proposal and aims… UNDERSTANDING A SHARED PAST LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE 20 POLITICAL LIFE CONSTITUTIONS Doc. 10 January, 11 1946, Albania was proclaimed a People’s Republic Doc. 11 Question: Did you say that this is an absolute regime ? From the Trial Against Shefqet Answer: Yes, because this regime defends the points of view of one Beja, Vice Organisational party. Chairman of Fronti, dt. Question: Why do you like western democracy ? 04.09.1947 Answer: First of all, it is a question of opinion, because the principles “Democratic Renascence” of this democracy (the people’s democracy) are not those of the west newspaper, 12.10.1991 which has real democracy. Doc. 12 Article 1 Political system in 1976 Albania is a Socialist People’s Republic. Article 2 The People’s Socialist Republic of Albania is a state of the dictatorship of the proletariat which expresses and defends interests of all the working people... Article 3 The Albanian Labour Party, the vanguard of the working class, is the sole political leading force of the state and society. In the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania ruling ideology is Marxist-Leninism. All socialist order is developed on the basis of its principles. Doc. 13 Doc. 14 The Albanian People’s Assembly building Council of Ministers building UNDERSTANDING A SHARED PAST LEARNING FOR THE FUTURE 21 CONSTITUTIONS POLITICAL LIFE Doc. 15 Political System according to the 1976 Constitution People’s Assembly ( P. A.) - Supreme State Authority - Elected every 4 years Presidium of People’s Assembly - 250 members ¨ Permanent State Authority - Defines main directions of internal and foreign policy ¨ Confers decorates and grants honorary titles - Approves and changes Constitution ¨ Exercises the right of pardon - Approves state plan ¨ Grants citizenship and permits it to be given up - Announces general mobilization in case of aggression ¨ Administrative division of Republic - Ratifies international treties - Executes international treaties - Decides on referenda - Compiles, approves, rescinds laws - Nominates the general prosecutor and public prosecutor Supreme Court Elects, approves/discharges Presidium, Council of Ministers General Public Prosecutor Council of Ministers Nominated by P.A. People’s Councils Supreme executive authority of state power. Municipal authorities elected every three years Doc.