President of Albania

President of the
Republic of Albania
Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë
Presidential Seal
Presidential Standard
Incumbent
Bajram Begaj
since 24 July 2022
StyleMr President (informal)
His Excellency (diplomatic)
TypeHead of state
ResidencePallati Presidencial
SeatTirana
AppointerParliament
Term lengthFive years,
renewable once
Formation30 April 1991; 33 years ago (1991-04-30)
First holderRamiz Alia
DeputySpeaker of the Parliament [1]
Websitepresident.al

The president of Albania (Albanian: Presidenti i Shqipërisë), officially styled the President of the Republic of Albania (Albanian: Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë), is the head of state, commander-in-chief of the military and the representative of the unity of the Albanian people.[2][3]

The president has the power to set the date of the elections for the Parliament as well as referendum, grants pardons and awards. In case of incapability to discharge duties of office, the speaker of the Parliament assumes the office's powers and duties as acting president until the president resumes those powers and duties, or until election of a new president.[4] The Office of the President of Albania consists of the immediate staff of the president of the country, as well as support staff reporting to the president. The office is seated in the Presidential Office in the capital city Tirana. The Constitution of Albania defines the appearance and use of the presidential standard, flown on buildings of the Office of the President, the residence of the president, the transportation vehicles when in use by the president, and in other ceremonial occasions. The spouse of the president is recognized as the first lady of Albania, but holds no official role in the presidency. She often plays a protocol role at the Presidential Palace and during official visits.

The president is elected through a secret vote and without debate by the Parliament of Albania by a majority of three-fifths of all its members and is elected for 5 years.[5] However, the Constitution of Albania sets a limit to a maximum of two terms in office.[6] The president-elect is required to take an oath of office before the members of the Parliament of Albania.

  1. ^ "Albanian president signs in laws increasing his wage to highest in region". 30 May 2023.
  2. ^ "KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË" (PDF). wipo.int (in Albanian). p. Article 86.1.
  3. ^ Albania in Pictures (Tom Streissguth ed.). Twenty-First Century Books, 2010. August 2010. p. 37. ISBN 9780761363781.
  4. ^ "1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA". osce.org. p. 18. When the President of the Republic is temporarily unable to exercise his functions or his place is vacant, the Speaker of the Assembly takes his place and exercises his powers.
  5. ^ "1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA". osce.org. The President of the Republic is elected by the Assembly by secret ballot and without debate by a majority of three-fifths of all its members.
  6. ^ "KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË" (PDF). wipo.int (in Albanian). p. Article 88.1.