Constitution Watch: Albania

The sudden resignation of Prime Minister Ilir Meta (Socialist Party [SP]), on January 29, and the selection of Defense Minister Pandeli Majko (SP) in his place, on February 7, concluded the latest chapter in Albania’s stormy transitional saga. Whether the Majko government will survive is difficult to predict. The parliamentary term should last until 2005; if the Majko government falls, early elections will probably be unavoidable. Majko’s previous stint as prime minister, in 1998–99, is generally seen as successful, beginning with the adoption of the new Constitution in November 1998 as well as dealing with the Kosovo crisis in April–June 1999.