PRISTINA: Albania has elected its former army chief Bajram Begaj aspresident of the country.

On Saturday, 78 of 140 deputies voted for the 55-year-old militarydoctor. There were four votes against and one abstention, the ATAnews agency reported. The right-wing opposition boycotted theelection. 

Begaj graduated in general medicine in Tirana and became a militarydoctor. In the armed forces, he became commander-in-chief of themedical service. He was also head of the Training and DoctrineCommand.

He became commander-in-chief of the Albanian armed forces almost two years ago.

The Balkan country has been a member of NATO since 2009.

Begaj replaces President Ilir Meta, who was elected five years ago.He had also been supported by the Socialists but had fallen out withPrime Minister Edi Rama.

Impeachment proceedings initiated by the Socialists shortly beforethe end of Meta’s term failed because the Constitutional Court didnot consider his dismissal justified. 

Begaj had been nominated by the Socialists for the highest office ofstate only shortly before Saturday’s vote. Three ballots had failedin the days before.

Saturday’s ballot was the first in which the 50% majority in parliament was sufficient for a successful election.

Meta signed the document dismissing Begaj, who held the rank of majorgeneral, from the military shortly before the election. The Albanianconstitution prohibits military personnel from holding high stateoffice.

The head of state in Albania tends to have only ceremonial powers.

Source: DPA