Albania’s coalition names economist to be president

TIRANA - The Associated Press

Artan Hoxha, is nominated as candidate for Albania’s new president. AP Photo

Albania’s governing coalition has nominated economist Artan Hoxha to be the country’s new president, after failing to agree on a name with the opposition.

The 47-year-old Hoxha needs at least 71 votes in the 140-seat parliament to be elected Monday. The coalition led by the Democratic Party should have the necessary votes.

The Albanian parliament previously failed three times to elect a new president after the coalition was unable to agree on a candidate with the opposition Socialist Party. In this round, however, only a simple majority is needed.

President Bamir Topi’s five-year term expires July 24. He is not running for a second term.
The opposition has decided not to take part in the vote.

Crisis-hit Italy and Greece have already brought in technocrat cabinet leaders.