1998 Albanian constitutional referendum
A constitutional referendum was held in Albania on 22 November 1998. Voters were asked whether they approved of the constitution. It was approved by 93.5% of voters with a turnout of 50.6%, and came into force on 28 November.
Background
In September 1997 a 21-member Constitutional Commission was formed by Parliament, including twelve members of the ruling Socialist Party and [Social Democratic Party of Albania|Democratic Party of Albania|Social Democratic Party] and nine members of the Democratic Party. The Commission was given a six-month timeframe for producing a draft.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.
The second draft was then approved by Parliament on 21 October 1998 with 115 in favour and none against.