Hysen Selfo
Hysen Selfo | |
|---|---|
| Leader of the Democratic National Front Party | |
| In office 1998–2005 | |
| Preceded by | (Party established) |
| Succeeded by | Artur Roshi |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1934 |
| Died | August 28, 2006 (aged 71–72) |
| Party | PBKD |
| Profession | Politician, Electrical engineer |
Hysen Selfo (c. 1934 – 28 August 2006) was an Albanian politician, best known as the founder and leader of the Democratic National Front Party (Partia Balli Kombëtar Demokrat). Born in Gjirokastër, Selfo trained as an electrical engineer before entering politics, where he served as a member of the Albanian parliament and promoted right‑wing nationalist ideals.
Early life and education
Hysen Selfo was born in Gjirokastër, Albania, around 1933–1934, based on reports of his age at death. Selfo pursued higher education in the field of electrical engineering, graduating with a degree in the discipline [1]
Career
His role in Balli Kombëtar
After completing his education in electrical engineering, Hysen Selfo worked professionally in the technical field before becoming increasingly involved in politics. In the early 1990s, Selfo emerged as a leading figure in the National Front (Balli Kombëtar) in post‑communist Albania, a nationalist party that traced its roots to the World War II resistance movement and opposed communism in the new multiparty era. He served as deputy chairman of the party, playing a prominent role in its organizational and electoral activities during a period when nationalist forces sought broader appeal.[2]
His leadership of Balli Kombëtar Demokrat
In 1998, political disagreements with PBK leader Abas Ermenji, particularly over the direction and leadership of the nationalist movement, led Selfo to break away and form a separate political organization. The PBKD was established as a right‑wing nationalist party that sought to present itself as distinct from the more hard‑line PBK, retaining the symbolic legacy of the Balli Kombëtar while adopting somewhat more moderate policy positions in an attempt to appeal to a broader electorate.[3]
Under Selfo's leadership, the PBKD participated in Albania's parliamentary elections, including the 2005 elections where the Selfo got his best result, 0.6% with 7,632 votes but not enough to win representation in the legislature.[4]
Selfo remained the head of the PBKD until the mid-2000s over health concerns, stepping down and being succeeded in 2005 by Artur Roshi.[5]
References
- ^ "OBITUARY: Hysen Selfo, leader of Balli Kombetar political party, passes away". Tirana Times. September 2006. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (15 November 2006). "Balli Kombëtar (National Front Party, NFP); party status; number of members; whether any party candidates ran in the 2005 parliamentary elections; whether the party holds any seats in parliament; whether the party holds office at the local level; treatment of party members (2003 - 2006) [ALB101858.E], Document #1069930". ecoi.net. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ "IRI Observation Report on the Albanian Parliamentary Elections of May 26, 1996" (PDF). Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ "IFES Election Guide | Elections: Albanian Parliament 2005 General". electionguide.org. Retrieved 2026-01-15.
- ^ "PARTIA BALLI KOMBËTAR DEMOKRAT" (PDF). Retrieved 2026-01-15.