Ramiz Alia

Ramiz Alia succeeded Enver Hoxha as First Secretary of the Party of Labour of Albania after Hoxha's death. He inherited a highly isolated and impoverished country with a rigid Stalinist system.

Under pressure from economic collapse and student protests, Alia's government introduced limited political and economic reforms, including allowing some private enterprise and ending the ban on religious practice. These were insufficient to prevent the regime's collapse.

Following the fall of communism and the victory of the Democratic Party in elections, Ramiz Alia resigned as President. He was later arrested and tried for abuse of power, but was eventually acquitted.