1985 - Hoxha dies, replaced by Ramiz Alia. Political upheavals 1989 - Communist rule in Eastern Europe collapses. Ramiz Alia signals changes to economic system. 1990 - Independent political parties formed. Albanians granted right to travel abroad.
Thousands try to flee through Western embassies.
Thousands more seize ships at port and sail illegally to Italy. General amnesty for political prisoners. First opposition newspaper published. Alia re-elected president. Prime Minister Fatos Nano resigns after protests at economic conditions and killing of opposition demonstrators.