Even though there are still no concrete names, Parliament has started the procedures to elect a new president.
Yesterday, the Conference of Parliamentary Group Leaders decided that on April 19 the first round of the elections for the new President will be held.
End of President Nishani’s current mandate
President Bujar Nishani was election by Parliament on June 11, 2012, with 73 votes in the fourth voting round. He was sworn in as President of the Republic on July 24, 2012.
Based on art. 88(2) of the Constitution, President Nishani’s 5-year mandate ends on July 24, 2017.
Election of the new president
On April 13, the Directorate of Juridical Service of the Parliament clarified in a letter that the procedure for the selection of the next president needs to start not earlier than April 13 and not later than July 9, 2017.
On the same day, however, parliamentary group leader of the PS, Gramoz Ruçi, proposed Speaker of Parliament Ilir Meta to hold the first round of voting on April 19. This proposal was approved on April 14 by the Conference of Parliamentary Group Leaders.
Based on art. 87(1) of the Constitution, any group of at least 20 deputies has the right to propose a presidential candidate.
The president is elected with a secret vote and without debate in Parliament.
The first voting round – out of a maximum of five – has to be held within 7 days from the start of the procedures.
In the first round, the president is elected with a qualified majority of 84 votes.
The first round is valid even if there is no candidate.
The second and third round are held in the same way, whereas in the fourth and fifth round only 71 votes are needed.
In case Parliament fails to elect a president within 5 rounds, it is dissolved and new elections are held within 45 days.
Candidacies
Based on art. 88(1) of the Constitution, President Nishani has the right to be reelected if he has the support of at least 20 deputies. He has already indicated that he is available for reelection.
Meanwhile, the PS–LSI government has so far failed to propose any candidate. Prime Minister Edi Rama has declared that he will not move on this issue without first consulting with LSI leader Ilir Meta.
There have been numerous rumors about a female candidacy for president. Current Minister of Defense Mimi Kodheli has stated publicly that she would accept the candidacy.
Also PS deputy Arta Dade has declared that if there was the support of 20 deputies, she would not refuse.
