Hoxha

For many years, the country was one of Europe's poorest, without a single major ally, dominated by Hoxha's cult of personality.

The real base of their power has rested in the security and armed forces, and Hoxha and Shehu have divided this power.

Hoxha did, however, pay lip service to the collective leadership principle enunciated in Moscow after Stalin's death.

Hoxha silenced the dissident elements, however, and had most of them expelled from the Party or arrested.