A constitutional referendum was held in Albania on 22 November 1998.[1] Voters were asked whether they approved of the constitution. It was approved by 93.5% of voters with a turnout of 50.6%,[2] and came into force on 28 November.[3]
In September 1997 a 21-member Constitutional Commission was formed by Parliament, including twelve members of the ruling Socialist Party and Social Democratic Party and nine members of the Democratic Party. The Commission was given a six-month timeframe for producing a draft.[3]
The public were widely consulted during the process using surveys, forums and public meetings. Despite the Democratic Party boycotting the Commission until the latter stages of the process and a coup attempt by its leader Sali Berisha, the Commission produced its draft constitution on 4 August 1998 having obtained a six-month extension. After its publication further hearings and debates were held, resulting in around a quarter of the articles in the first draft being amended.[3]
The second draft was then approved by Parliament on 21 October 1998 with 115 in favour and none against (the other 40 MPs, mostly Democratic Party members, did not attend the vote).[3]
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