Parliament

You are now standing in Tirana’s government district, the administrative and political heart of the city. Around you, several key buildings reflect how the Albanian state functions today. To your left are the Parliament offices, where national laws are debated and passed, and directly across the street stands the Kryeministria, the Prime Minister’s Office, where the main executive decisions shaping the country’s policies are made. Since the fall of the communist regime in 1991, Albania has been a parliamentary republic, meaning that the Prime Minister is the head of government and holds most executive power. The political system is built on a separation of powers between the executive, legislative and judicial branches, designed to maintain balance within the state. Parliament itself is a single-chamber, or unicameral, body, and its members are elected for four-year terms by direct universal suffrage. The presidency, by contrast, plays a largely symbolic role. The President of the Republic is elected by Parliament and carries out mainly representative duties, ensuring continuity of the state and representing Albania on the international stage, but without real executive authority. The presidential building is located a little further along the same street, just behind you. Across from here, you’ll also notice the Palace of Congresses and, a bit farther on, the University of Tirana and the National Archaeological Museum. If you feel like it, you can take a short detour toward the university to get a closer look at its buildings before continuing the visit.