The 2nd Legislature of Albania () was the second legislative term of the Albanian parliament, embodied in the National Council (). It was the first legislature elected by popular vote, following the elections of 1921, and it sat from 21 April 1921 to 30 September 1923, with its seat in Tirana.

Background The first National Council, established by the Congress of Lushnjë, held a temporary mandate. On 24 November 1920, eighteen of its members resigned and called for elections to a new parliament; the government approved holding elections, which took place on 21 April 1921, the first in the country's history.

The elections were held on an indirect, two-stage basis. In the first round, voting was restricted to men aged over 20, who elected one elector for each 500 registered voters. Four weeks later the electors assembled in the main town of each district to elect the 78 members of parliament. The Progressive Party led by Shefqet Vërlaci and the Popular Party led by Fan Noli and Luigj Gurakuqi won roughly equal numbers of seats, and the resulting factionalism produced several government crises during the term.

Composition The National Council elected in 1921 consisted of 78 deputies. The membership changed considerably over the course of the legislature: a number of deputies were unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921 (notably several representing Dibra); several were expelled in September 1922 for taking part in the uprising of 7 March 1922 against the government of Xhafer Ypi; others resigned, died, or were elevated to the High Council; and a group of deputies for the prefectures of Kosovo, Dibra, Korçë, Shkodër and elsewhere were admitted on 1 September 1922. Including all such changes, around 100 individuals served as deputies during the term.

The functions of Chairman of the National Council during this legislature were exercised by Eshref Frashëri.

Members The list below reflects the deputies elected on 5 April 1921 together with the substitutions and replacements made during the legislature.

+ Members of the National Council, 1921–1923 No. Member Notes 1 Abdyl Sula Admitted as deputy for Dibra on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 2 Agathokli Xhitomi 3 Ahmet Hastopalli 4 Ahmet Resuli 5 Ahmet Zogu On 2 December 1922 the National Council appointed him Prime Minister in place of Xhafer Ypi, who became a member of the High Council. 6 Ali Këlcyra 7 Ali Koprëncka 8 Anton Beça 9 Fr. Gjergj Fishta Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 10 Avni Gjilani Sworn in 11 May 1921; unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 11 Bahri Omari 12 Bajram Fevziu Resigned 6 February 1922. 13 Banush Hamdiu 14 Bedri Pejani Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Kosovo on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 15 Bexhet Hyti 16 Bektash Cakrani 17 Dhimitër Kacimbra 18 Eshref Frashëri 19 Fan Noli 20 Fazlli Frashëri Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Dibra on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 66th session, 23 October 1922. 21 Fiqri Rusi Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Dibra on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 22 Gani Strazimiri Unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 23 Halid Rroji Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 24 Halim Gostivari Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Kosovo on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 25 Hasan Prishtina Unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 26 Haxhi Jusuf Banka 27 Hilë Mosi Sworn in at the 64th session, 22 October 1921. 28 Hoxha Kadri (Kadri Prishtina) Sworn in 25 May 1921; unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 29 Hysen Vrioni Sworn in at the 46th session, 10 September 1922. 30 Hysen Mushqeta Took part in the uprising of 7 March 1922 and was convicted by the military courts of Shijak and Tirana; unseated by the Council on 18 September 1922. 31 Ibrahim Gjakova Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Kosovo on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922; resigned 17 June 1923. 32 Ibrahim Xhindi 33 Iljaz Vrioni Sworn in 25 May 1921; unseated by the Council, with other Dibra deputies, on 22 December 1921. 34 Irfan Ohri Unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 35 Kapllan Delialliasi Took part in the uprising of 7 March 1922 and was convicted by the military courts of Shijak and Tirana; unseated by the Council on 18 September 1922. 36 Koço Tasi 37 Kolë Rodhe Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Korçë on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 38 Kolë Thaçi Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 39 Kristo Dako Unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 40 Kristo Floqi Sworn in at the 8th session, 11 May 1921. 41 Kristo Kirka 42 Leonidha Frashëri 43 Leonidha Koja Took part in the uprising of 7 March 1922 and was convicted by the military courts of Shijak and Tirana; unseated by the Council on 18 September 1922. 44 Loni Kristo 45 Luigj Gurakuqi Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 46 Llambi Goxhomani Sworn in at the 8th session, 11 May 1921. 47 Maliq Bushati Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 48 Mazar Këlliçi 49 Mehdi Frashëri Sworn in at the 15th session, 25 May 1921. 50 Mehmet Pengili Sworn in at the 15th session, 25 May 1921. 51 Mehmet Pilku Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Dibra on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 40th session, 12 September 1922. 52 Mithat Frashëri 53 Milto Tutulani 54 Mustafa Kruja Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921; took part in the uprising of 7 March 1922 and was convicted by the military courts of Shijak and Tirana; unseated by the Council on 18 September 1922. 55 Mustafa Maksuti 56 Ndoc Pistulli Notified the Council by telegram on 27 June 1921 that he had resigned; elected to the High Council on 22 December 1921. 57 Ndre Mjeda Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 58 Nikolla Ivanaj Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Shkodër on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 59 Osman Haxhiu (Nuri) 60 Osman Myderrizi Sworn in at the 55th session, 7 October 1922. 61 Pandeli Cale Died 5 August 1923 in Salonica; his death was announced to the Council on 20 August 1923 by Chairman Eshref Frashëri. 62 Pandeli Evangjeli 63 Patuk Saraçi Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 64 Petro Harito 65 Qamil Gjilani (Bala) Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Kosovo on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 66 Qazim Dani Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Kosovo in place of Mustafa Kruja on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 81st session, 18 November 1922. 67 Qazim Koculi Sworn in at the 60th session, 14 October 1922. 68 Qazim Kokoshi Elected Mayor of Vlorë and resigned his seat on 6 September 1922. 69 Qemal Mullai Sworn in at the 8th session, 11 May 1921. 70 Qemal Vrioni 71 Ramiz Daci Unseated by the Council on 22 December 1921. 72 Rasim Babameto Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Gjirokastër in place of Mithat Frashëri on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 73 Refik Topia Sworn in at the 15th session, 25 May 1921; elected to the High Council on 24 December 1921. 74 Rexhep Jella Elected deputy for the prefecture of Durrës on 30 January 1923 in place of Xhafer Ypi, who joined the High Council; sworn in at the session of 1 March 1923. 75 Rexhep Mati Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Dibra on 1 September 1922; sworn in at the 36th session, 4 September 1922. 76 Rexhep Mitrovica Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 77 Riza Dani Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 78 Salih Vuçiterni Admitted as deputy for the prefecture of Dibra on 1 September 1922; on 6 September 1922 elected to the Commission for Administration and Army Affairs. 79 Said Toptani Sworn in at the 23rd session, 18 June 1921. 80 Sejfi Vlamasi 81 Selahydin Shkoza 82 Skënder Pojani 83 Sotir Peci 84 Spiro Jorgo Koleka 85 Spiro (Pilo) Papa 86 Stavro Vinjau 87 Sulejman Delvina 88 Syrja Pojani 89 Shahsivar Alltuni 90 Shefqet Dajiu 91 Shefqet Vërlaci 92 Shuk Gurakuqi 93 Shyqri Muftiu 94 Taqi Buda 95 Tefik Mborja 96 Tefik Panariti 97 Visarion Xhuvani 98 Xhafer Ypi Elected to the High Council during the term; succeeded in his Durrës seat by Rexhep Jella on 30 January 1923. 99 Xhemal Bushati 100 Zija Toptani

Legislative activity With this legislature the parliament began to function regularly as a body elected by the people, with clearly defined duties set out in the statute. The 1922 extension of the Statute of Lushnja—known as the statute of 1922—turned that act into a constitution holding the highest authority in the state and confirmed the fullness of parliamentary government. Under it, the legislature, now formally called the National Council, was the single legislative body, consisting of a chamber of deputies elected by the people through indirect voting.

Two political groups were clearly distinguished during this period: the Popular Party, headed by Fan Noli, and the Progressive Party, headed by Hoxhë Kadriu and Shefqet Vërlaci. The Council's legislative work focused on the law on judicial organisation, the development of the rules of procedure with new elements of transparency, the swearing-in of deputies before the Council, and similar matters.

Dissolution In September 1923 the National Council concluded its proceedings at the end of its two-year term in order to organise new elections for a Constitutional Assembly, which were held in December of that year.

See also 1st Legislature of Albania 1921 Albanian parliamentary election Congress of Lushnjë Parliament of Albania History of Albania

References