Albania marks 99 years since the Constitutional Assembly proclaimed the country a hereditary parliamentary monarchy and declared Ahmet Zogu, later known as King Zog I, the King of the Albanians.
On September 1, 1928, the Constitutional Assembly unanimously approved the transformation of Albania from a republic into a “Democratic, Parliamentary and Hereditary Kingdom.” Zogu was proclaimed monarch under the title “Zog I, King of the Albanians.”
The historic decision also established the formula for the king’s oath, in which Zog pledged to preserve national unity, the independence of the state and Albania’s territorial integrity, while remaining faithful to the country’s constitutional statute and laws.
The ceremony drew members of parliament, civil servants, tribal leaders and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions. According to historical accounts, foreign diplomats attended informally amid uncertainty among their governments over how to respond to the establishment of the new Albanian monarchy.
Ahmet Zogu was born on October 8, 1895, in Burgajet, in the Mat region. He became involved in Albanian political and military affairs at an early age and played an increasingly prominent role during the turbulent years surrounding Albania’s independence and the First World War.
Zogu later emerged as one of the country’s most influential political figures. He served as interior minister and prime minister before becoming president of the Albanian Republic in 1925.
Following years of political instability, Albania’s political system was again transformed in 1928. After parliamentary elections and deliberations over changing the country’s form of government, the Constitutional Assembly approved the establishment of the monarchy.
On September 1, 1928, Zogu formally became King Zog I, marking one of the most significant political transformations in Albania’s modern history.
The monarchy represented Zogu’s attempt to consolidate political stability and strengthen Albania’s state institutions during a period marked by regional uncertainty and intense competition for influence in the Balkans.
Today’s anniversary marks 99 years since the proclamation of the Kingdom of Albania and the beginning of King Zog I’s rule as the country’s monarch.
