Congress of Lushnjë
The Congress of Lushnjë (Albanian: Kongresi i Lushnjës), historically documented by the name Mbledhja Kombiare Lushnje, was a conference of Albanian political leaders held from January 21 to January 31, 1920, in Lushnjë, Albania.
Official seal | |
The house where the congress was held now serves as a museum. | |
| Native name | Kongresi i Lushnjes |
|---|---|
| Date | January 28–31, 1920 |
| Venue | Residence of Kaso Fuga |
| Location | Lushnjë, Albania |
| Also known as | Mbledhja Kombiare Lushje |
| Outcome | The congress unanimously decided to overthrow the Government of Durrës and established a new constitution titled the Canonical Basis of the High Council. |
Its objective was to deal with the issues arising from the military control of the country by mainly Italian and secondarily French troops and its political leadership by the pro-Italian Durrës-based government. Held in the residence of Kaso Fuga it was attended by 56 delegates from Albania, adjacent Albanian-inhabited territories and representatives of Albanian emigrant colonies.
Aqif Elbasani was elected president of the congress and Ferid Vokopola secretary. The congress declared the Durrës government invalid and formed a new cabinet under Sulejman Delvina. The new government consisted of the High Council (Albanian: Këshilli i Lartë) and the National Council (Albanian: Këshilli Kombëtar). The last decision of the congress was the designation of Tiranë as the new capital of Albania. The congress' decisions would eventually lead a few months later to the Vlora War and as a result to the total withdrawal of the Italian army from Albania and the final affirmation of the country's territorial integrity in 1921. The building where it was held became a museum in 1970.