Legality Movement
The Legality Movement (Albanian: Lëvizja Legaliteti) were an Albanian royalist and pro-monarchy faction founded in 1941. It was led by Abaz Kupi.[1]
| Legality Movement | |
|---|---|
| Lëvizja Legaliteti | |
Coat of arms of the Albanian Kingdom | |
| Leaders | Abaz Kupi |
| Dates of operation | 1943–1945 |
| Headquarters | Mat |
| Active regions | Albania |
| Ideology | Monarchism Albanian nationalism |
| Allies | Allied Powers |
| Opponents | Albanian partisans Axis |
| Battles and wars | Albanian resistance of World War II |
Ideology edit
The Legaliteti sought the return of King Zog, who had fled the country on the eve of the Italian invasion.[2] The Legaliteti consisted of supporters from mostly the northern mountain tribes, particularly the Mati region.[citation needed] The Legaliteti were anti-communist. Despite being nationalistic, the Legaliteti were against the Balli Kombëtar as the Balli Kombëtar were the social democrats and pro-republic while the Legaliteti were loyalists and royalists.[3] The Balli Kombëtar were also accused by the Legaliteti because they supported the German occupation.
History edit
The negative action of the Albanian Communists on the Kosovo issue alienated a significant number of its adherents from that border region. Following November 1943, Abaz Kupi, until the Mukje Agreement, was a member of the Central Council of the NLM, withdrew with others to form the Legaliteti.[citation needed] Kupi was a respected Gheg chieftain who had commanded King Zog's troops in Durrës when the Italians invaded Albania. In the early 1940s, three new political factions emerged within Albania after the Italians were defeated: the Albanian Communists, Balli Kombëtar (National Front), and Legaliteti (Legality). The Allies originally supported the Legaliteti. Being the smallest faction with no significant influence in Albania, the Allies broke aid with the Legaliteti and aided the Yugoslav Partisans, who in turn backed the Albanian communists.[4] In 1945, the Albanian communists assumed control over Albania at the end of World War II in Europe. Most Legaliteti members were executed or had escaped to the west.[4]
Legacy edit
The monarchist Legality Movement Party takes its name from the group.
References edit
- ^ Irene Grünbaum (1996). Escape Through the Balkans: The Autobiography of Irene Grünbaum. ISBN 0803270828. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ Peter Lucas (2007). OSS in World War Two Albania by Peter Lucas. ISBN 9780786429677. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
- ^ Hutchings, Raymond (1996). Historical Dictionary of Albania. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. p. 148. ISBN 0-8108-3107-4. LCCN 95-26304.
- ^ a b Walter R. Roberts (1987). Tito, Mihailović, and the allies, 1941-1945. ISBN 0822307731. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
Further reading edit
- Histoire de l'Albanie et de sa maison royale (5 volumes); Patrice Najbor - JePublie - Paris - 2008
- La dynastie des Zogu, Patrice Najbor - Textes&Pretextes - Paris - 2002
External links edit
- Official website of the Albanian Royal Court
- Site Officiel de la Maison Royale d'Albanie
- L'Albanie et le sauvetage des Juifs