Former President of Albania, Bujar Nishani, passed away on Saturday, May 28, from health complications as a result of several months of battle with COVID-19. He was 58 years old.

Nishani passed away in a hospital in Germany, where he was sent a month ago for intensive care after the aggravation of his health condition. He also suffered from an autoimmune disease.

Nishani was elected president of Albania in 2012 and served in this position for a full term until 2017.

He came to this position from an academic career at the Albanian Armed Forces and several years of engagement in the Albanian Ministry of Defense in the first decade of the democratic transition.

Nishani was a senior member of the Democratic Party of Albania and served as a member of this party in the Albanian Parliament in 2005.

He held the position of Minister of Interior in 2007 and 2011, while that of Minister of Justice in 2009.

Known for a public prudence, Nishani was the sixth president of Albania. He was committed to Albania’s pro-European orientation and was a supporter of reforms for his country’s membership in the European Union.

He advocated for the international recognition of Kosovo’s independence and Kosovo’s involvement in regional initiatives to strengthen regional stability and security in the Western Balkans.

Former President Nishani has left behind his wife and two children.