The Conference of Presidents set today, May 16, as the first round of voting for the election of the President of the Republic of Albania. Until this date, the majority and the opposition, if the latter will participate in the process, must bring to the Assembly the candidates that will be voted on later in the Plenary Session.
The Constitution stipulates that the Assembly can vote for the election of the President for up to 5 rounds and if it fails then the Parliament is dissolved and new elections are held. But, the latest changes in the Constitution minimize this possibility completely because in the fourth and fifth round, the President can be elected with 71 votes if during the first three rounds where the qualified majority with 84 votes is secured.
So far, the majority has not proposed any name, while it has not excluded anyone, while the opposition has preferred Neritan Ceka and Visa Zhiti.
Below, abcnews.al brings some of the most talked about names for president so far:
Majlinda Bregu
Another candidate who has become part of the media discussions is that of the former MP and former Democratic Minister, Majlinda Bregu. It chairs the Regional Cooperation Council and can constitute a consensual candidacy.
Visa Zhiti
Visar Zhiti comes from the ranks of the politically persecuted and is one of the opposition proposals for President.
Neritan Ceka
Archaeologist Neritan Ceka is also the opposition’s proposal to head the state. Ceka has served as Minister and Ambassador of Albania.
Mimi Kodheli
One of the possible candidates is Mimi Kodheli, former Minister of Defense and currently chairwoman of the Foreign Policy Committee.
Mentor Petrela
The well-known doctor, one of the names that is rumored whenever a President is required, is this time the opposition’s proposal for this post.
Pandeli Majko
Pandeli Majko is also another name rumored quite a bit as a potential candidate for the position of president. He comes with a long political career, having twice held the post of prime minister and several ministerial posts.
Fatos Nano
Former Socialist leader Fatos Nano could not be left out of this list. With a long political career he has had an early ambition being elected head of the Presidency.
Dritan Demiraj
Colonel Dritan Demiraj is also another name proposed by the association “Vatra” for President of the Republic.
Lulzim Basha
Former PD leader Basha has been rumored to be among the candidates, but this has been denied by Prime Minister Rama.
Sazan Guri
The environmentalist, Sazan Guri, has also become part of the list of candidates. The latter has offered himself to be a candidate for president.
Eleni Kocaqi
Albanian historian Elena Kocaqi has been selected among the most popular names in the polls.