Albanian parliament elects president at fourth attempt
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 11 June 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Albanian parliament elects president at fourth attempt, 11 June 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fdb2f6228.html [accessed 26 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 11, 2012
The Albanian parliament has elected Interior Minister Bujar Nishani as the country's new head of state in a fourth-round vote on June 11.
Three previous attempts to elect a head of state failed because the ruling coalition and opposition could not agree on a consensus candidate for the largely ceremonial post.
Nishani replaces outgoing President Bamir Topi, whose mandate ends in July, for a five-year term.
He was the only candidate put forward by the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Sali Berisha's Democratic party.
He won 73 votes in the 140-seat parliament.
Opposition Socialist Party lawmakers were present but did not vote.
Socialist leader Edi Rama said Nishani's unilateral nomination by the ruling Democrats undermines the country's goal of joining the European Union.
With reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
