Pandeli Evangjeli

Statesman, 7th Prime Minister of Albania. He served as prime minister on two occasions. First, from 16 October 1921 to 5 December 1921 and second, from 6 March 1930 to 16 October 1935. Prior to becoming prime minister he helped to establish the local "Committee for the Liberation of Albania". He was the country's representative for his native city in 1914. Gaining recognition, he was made a member of the national government. He was then part of the Albanian delegation in the Paris Peace Conference in 1920. After that he was elected member of the parliament. He served briefly as prime minister and in 1925 he was elected Head of the Albanian Senate. He was then made prime minister. After leaving the post, he served as Albania's Parliamentary President until the Italian invasion of 1939. He is best remembered as the first Orthodox Christian to become the head of the Albanian government.