June Revolution

The June Revolution (Albanian: Lëvizja e Qershorit), also known as the Antibourgeois Democratic Revolution, was a revolt against the Zog I government following the disputed 1923 Albanian parliamentary election. Zogu's faction won 44 seats, while opposition candidates secured 39, with independent conservative candidates supporting him to form a government. Opposition parties alleged electoral fraud, claiming they should have won a majority based on their performance in the first round of voting. The uprising was triggered by the murder of Avni Rustemi, an Albanian politician, by an agent of the Toptani Family. His death led to anti-government demonstrations that escalated into armed rebellion. The revolution was split into two fronts: the Northern Front, organized by the Committee of Kosovo and led by Bajram Curri, who supported Fan Noli due to their rivalry with Zogu; and the Southern Front, led by Riza Cerova, which gained support from Albanian peasants seeking land reforms. Rebel forces, including the Përmet Garrison and volunteers from Skrapar and Vlora, clashed with government troops. Riza Cerova's armed group defeated government forces in several skirmishes, occupying Berat, Lushnje, and eventually Tirana, forcing Zogu to flee to Yugoslavia. The revolution resulted in limited casualties on both sides. Following the rebels' occupation of Tirana on June 10, Fan Noli became Prime Minister on June 16. His government proposed radical reforms but faced challenges, including lack of financial support from Western countries and recognition only by the Soviet Union. On December 13, 1924, Zogu, supported by Yugoslav forces and White Russian volunteers, ...