Albania elects top general Bajram Begaj as the country’s new president

Albania’s parliament has elected a top military official, General Major Bajram Begaj as its new president after no candidates were nominated in three rounds of voting. The outgoing President Ilir Meta signed the decree on Begaj’s dismissal as Chief of General Staff of the AAF.

     The governing left-wing Socialist Party nominated and voted for Begaj,after failing to reach a compromise with the opposition on a candidate to replace President Ilir Meta, and no independent candidate was nominated.

     Begaj is post-communist Albania’s eighth president and the third from the military ranks. The five-year presidency has a largely ceremonial role and the chosen candidate is expected to stand above partisan divisions. The president holds some authority over the judiciary and the armed forces and is limited to two terms.

   Important Points for the exam:

• Albania’s parliament has elected a top military official, General Major Bajram Begaj as its new president.
• Begaj is post-communist Albania’s eighth president and the third from the military ranks. 
•  The governing left-wing Socialist Party nominated and voted for Begaj,after failing to reach a compromise with the opposition on a candidate to replace President Ilir Meta, and no independent candidate was nominated.
• The president holds some authority over the judiciary and the armed forces and is limited to two terms.

   Facts to Know:

• Albania Capital: Tirana
• Albania Currency: Albanian lek