Albania (A Federation of Equals)

History
The state of Albania, prior to its incorporation into the Danubian Federation, was an administrative area of the Ottoman Empire. Albania, being a majority Moslem state, was given nominal self-rule, but the non-Moslems of the area had to pay the Jizya tax, as well as bare the other restrictions placed upon them by the Sultan. Albania was liberated by the Danubian Federation during the Balkan-Levant War (popularly remembered as the 'Forgotten War') during the Kraus administration, and was confirmed as a full member-state of the Federation, via referendum. Albania became known as the Republic of Albania at took Gjirokastra as its capital. During this time   the government has remained heavily secular, though most official positions are usually occupied by the Christian minority. The state has remained largely agrarian in nature, but industrialization is beginning to occur. Albania’s first Chancellor was Gjergj Koçi, leader of the Albanian National Government-in-Exile, prior to its liberation. He led the state as its leader for a number of years, until the Adriatic Trading Company Scandal, of whom Koçi was a large share-holder and joint-founder, forced him to retreat more and more from politics. Ervin von Braunschweig, son of a Prussian general and Christian Albanian mother as well as protégé to Wolfram Liberalen, was the state’s next chancellor. He was known as the first leader elected in the fully democratic Albania and was a proud supporter of the SDP. There was a great deal of controversy surrounding his election however, given clear ties to the Teutonic Order and his previously demonstrated willingness to put federal interests above the state during his assault on Durz. This culminated in his murder in 1864 by the Brotherhood as part of an attempt to restore the Albanian Bay. Things were largely quite in Albania over the next four years as conservative parties expanded their bases. In 1868, Albanian General Zenel Buzi, proud monarchist and supporter of Albania’s rights, was invited by the government to take the throne during a renaissance of monarchies along the Adriatic. Despite initial discontent among some militant groups, Zenel I was crowned on Novemeber 1st of the same year, taking control of all the powers of the presidency in order to provide the state with a strong executive. King Zenel I continued to serve as general in the Federations armies, promising to return to the nation when the war ended. Over the course of the war southern Albania was briefly occupied by a small French force, but in the end the Federation succeeded in winning the war and Albania quickly recovered. Albania received its first queen in 1871 with the marriage of Zenel I to Nimet Pasha, daughter of Muhammad Ali of Egypt. It received its first prince and heir to the throne, Aleksandër Buzi a year later in the spring of 1872. Many thought that this would be the high point of the year in Albania, but while Zenel I was busy in Vienna helping to write the Federation’s new constitution, his minister nearly entered in to war with Cisalpina over the liberation of Venice. Fortunately for all involved, cooler heads prevailed and the state avoided open conflict.

Form of Government
Albania is currently a constitutional monarchy, where the Monarch and his personally appointed ministers have almost complete control over the executive, while the democratically elected, unicameral, chamber manages the legislature. The state’s desire for a powerful executive to protect its interests is clearly seen as the Monarch is both head of state and government. The executive holds far more power than in some other parliamentary states, attributed by some to the state’s powerful conservative base, but is still bound by the constitution. Common - The members of the Albanian Chamber form the legislative branch of the Albanian Government.- The Monarch and his Cabinet form the executive branch of the Albanian Government. Elections - The 100 directly elected members of the Chamber are elected in General Elections.- General Elections are held every four years, or when the following circumstances dictate otherwise.- The Cabinet is composed by the Monarch, and the Monarch may speak for any Albanian government official. Legislative Branch: The Chamber - There are 101 seats in the Albanian Chamber. One seat is reserved for the Monarch, the other 100 seats are reserved for directly elected representatives. - Representatives are encouraged to join a party.- Representatives may leave a party at any given time.- The leader of a party may cast the votes of all members of his party.- Any member of the Chamber, including the Monarch, may propose new legislation.- Any new legislation must be approved by a majority of the Chamber.- Any change in the Albanian Constitution must be approved by 2/3rds of the Chamber and the Monarch.- The Chamber is headed by the Speaker of Albania, elected by the members of the Chamber and approved by the Monarch. Executive Branch: The Cabinet - The Monarch presides of the Cabinet as Minister of Commons.- The Speaker of Albania is a member of Cabinet.- The Cabinet consists of seven Ministers, including the Monarch, each with their own field of responsibility. The Ministries are Commons, Interior, Security, Finance, Education, Industry, and Agriculture.- The Cabinet serves at the pleasure of the Monarch.- Ministers are responsible for executing the legislature of the Chamber. Albanian Security Forces - As requested, all Albanian security forces are at the disposal of the Danubian General Chief of Staff for deployment in Albania proper, pending approval from the Monarch.- In normal circumstances, the Albanian security forces are organized by the Minister of Security, though the Monarch is the official Commander-in-chief.- The Albanian security forces consist of four separate, co-operating units.- The Gendarmerie unit (Military Police) controls the other three security units. Gendarmerie outrank all other Albanian security forces, except when the other forces are operating under the Monarch’s direct orders.- The State Police keep order under normal circumstances.- The Riot Police co-operate with State Police to keep order in case of an elevated level of danger from the public, for instance during elections.- The Albanian Royal Militia unit defends the state in the case of an open revolt, which can’t be handled by Riot Police. - The Albanian Royal Militia consists of civilians and is not mobilized, except for monthly training or when the Monarch mobilizes them.- The Albanian Royal Militia will consist of at least 20% of the total adult male non-military population at any time.

Administrative Subdivisions
The state of Albania is one whole federal administrative division, and does not have any province-based sub governments. Instead, the Kingdom of Albania itself is divided into 124 municipalities, which are a remnant from the Ottoman era. A full listing can be found in the State Archives.