challengestodemo00unit #33 CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY IN ALBANIA

Challenges to democracy in Albania : hearing before the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, One Hundred Fourth Congress, second session, March 14, 1996 should not hesitate to assert its preference for a result that will advance democracy, a free market economy, and regional cooperation. Despite the significant institutional and political changes and splits within the ruling party, the Albanian political scene contin- ues to be dominated bv two main actors: the ruling party, the Democratic Party; and the opposition Socialist — former Com- munist — Party. Tne Democratic Party remains the only party with a clear political and economic program. It has retained a wide base of support that cuts across all segments of the society. The perils and pitfalls of governing the country during a crisis period, however, have