Albanian Republic

The Albanian Republic was the government of Albania between 1925 and 1928, when the country was a presidential republic dominated by Ahmet Zogu. After the turmoil that followed the First World War and the short-lived government of Fan Noli in 1924, Zogu returned from exile with Yugoslav support and took power. A constitution adopted in January 1925 made Albania a republic with a strong president, and Zogu was elected to the post. His rule restored a degree of order, built roads and a national bank, and concluded the Treaties of Tirana that tied Albania's finances and army to Italy. He also fixed the capital at Tirana and promoted a programme of modernisation that gave the new state its first ministries and a legal code. At the same time he suppressed the opposition, censored the press and relied on paramilitary forces. In September 1928 the parliament proclaimed him King Zog I, and the republic was replaced by a monarchy that lasted until the Italian invasion of 1939.