View source for President of Albania

{{Short description|Head of state of Albania}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = President
| body = the<br/>Republic of Albania
| native_name = {{lang|sq|Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë}}
| insignia = Seal of the President of Albania.svg
| insigniasize = 
| insigniacaption = Presidential Seal
| insigniaalt = 
| flag = Flag of the President of Albania.svg
| flagsize = 
| flagalt = 
| flagborder = 
| flagcaption = Presidential Standard
| image = Bajram Begaj (infobox crop).jpg
| imagesize = 
| alt = 
| imagecaption = 
| incumbent = [[Bajram Begaj]]
| acting = 
| incumbentsince = 24 July 2022
| department = 
| style = [[Mr. President (title)|Mr President]] (informal)<br/> [[Excellency|His Excellency]] (diplomatic)
| type = [[Head of state]]
| status = 
| abbreviation = 
| member_of = 
| reports_to = 
| residence = [[Presidential Palace, Tirana|Pallati Presidencial]]
| seat = [[Tirana]]
| nominator = 
| appointer = [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]]
| appointer_qualified = 
| termlength = Five years,
| termlength_qualified = renewable once
| constituting_instrument = [[Constitution of Albania]] (1998)
| precursor = 
| formation = {{start date and age|df=y|1991|4|30}}
| first = [[Ramiz Alia]]
| last = 
| abolished = 
| superseded_by = 
| succession = 
| unofficial_names = 
| deputy = [[Speaker of the Parliament of Albania|Speaker of the Parliament]]
| salary = {{currency|425000|ALL}} per month ({{currency|{{to EUR|425000|Albania}}|EUR}})<ref>{{cite web |author1=Këshilli i Ministrave |title=Buxheti i vitit 2026 |url=https://kuvendiwebfiles.blob.core.windows.net/webfiles/202511041330177519BUXHETI%202026.pdf |publisher=Kuvendi i Shqipërisë |page=8 |language=sq |date=3 November 2025 |trans-title=Budget for the year 2026}}</ref>
| website = {{url|http://president.al/|president.al}}
| footnotes = 
}}

The '''president of Albania''',{{efn|{{langx|sq|Presidenti i Shqipërisë}}}} <!-- "president" is uncapitalized here because it is preceded by modifier "The", per [[MOS:JOBTITLES]] bullet 3 and table column 2 example 1. Any proposal for modification to the guideline should be posted at its talk page, [[WT:MOSBIO]]. --> officially the '''president of the Republic of Albania''',{{efn|{{langx|sq|Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë}}}} is the [[head of state]], [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Albanian Armed Forces|military]] and the representative of the unity of the [[Albanian people]].<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|page=Article 86.1|language=sq}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Albania in Pictures|date=August 2010 |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books, 2010|isbn=9780761363781|page=37|edition=Tom Streissguth|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wL_-zcyLn6kC&q=president+of+albania+chief+of+military+of+albania&pg=PA37}}</ref>

The president sets the date of [[Elections in Albania|elections]] and [[referendum]]s, grants [[pardon]]s and [[Orders, decorations and medals of Albania|awards]], grants [[citizenship]] and permits it to be given up, accepts the credentials of diplomats serving in Albania, appoints [[Plenipotentiary|plenipotentiary representatives]] and the director of the [[SHISH|State Intelligence Service]] at the proposal of the [[Prime Minister of Albania|prime minister]], and officially [[Promulgation|promulgates]] all laws passed by the [[Parliament of Albania|Albanian parliament]] or by referendum. The Office of the President consists of the immediate staff of the president as well as support staff reporting to the president. The office is seated in the [[Presidential Office Building, Tirana|Presidential Office]] in the capital city [[Tirana]]. 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 (diplomacy)|protocol role]] at the [[Presidential Palace, Tirana|Presidential Palace]] and during [[Official Visit|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA|url=http://www.osce.org/albania/41888?download=true|website=osce.org|language=en|quote=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.}}</ref> The [[Constitution of Albania]] limits the president to a maximum of two terms in office.<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|page=Article 88.1|language=sq}}</ref> The president-elect is required to take an [[oath of office]] before the members of the parliament.

If the President is unable to discharge the duties of office or if the position is vacant, the [[Speaker of the Parliament of Albania|speaker of the Parliament]] assumes the office's powers and duties as [[Acting (law)|acting]] president until the president resumes those powers and duties, or until the election of a new president.<ref>{{cite web |title=1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA |url=http://www.osce.org/albania/41888?download=true |website=[[osce.org]] |page=18 |language=en |quote=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.}}</ref>

== History ==
{{See also|List of heads of state of Albania}}

[[Albania]] has experienced different models of governance, including an international protectorate, a monarchy, a state-party regime and the parliamentary republic as well. Throughout all this period the function of the president of Albania and [[head of state]] has been exercised in various forms.

The [[Provisional Government of Albania|first government]] after the independence was headed by [[Ismail Qemali]], who also enjoyed the competences of the [[head of state]]. On 6 February 1914, [[William, Prince of Albania|Prince Wilhelm Wied]] was appointed as head of state by the Ambassadors Conference. From September 1914 until January 1920, [[Albania]] was transformed into a battle field and experienced the change of a number of governments, where the post of the head of state was played by different governments regencies. On 8 January 1920 the [[Congress of Lushnjë]] elected the 'High Council' composed by four members, one of whom would exercise the functions of the head of state by introducing and bringing back the parliamentarian way of governance. In 1924, [[Fan S. Noli|Fan Noli]] was elected as head of government while exercising at the same time the functions of the head of state. After the frequent changes in governance, the [[Parliament of Albania]] approved and passed the republican form of regime on 25 January 1925 and elected [[Zog I of Albania]] as the president of Albania. The nation was proclaimed a [[Albanian monarchy|monarchy]] and [[Ahmet Zogu]] was crowned the [[Throne of Albania|King of Albanians]] on 28 September 1928. After [[Albania]] was occupied by [[Italy]] in April 1939 and the unification of the two countries, [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel III]] became the [[King of Albania]]. From 1943 to 1944 the regencies governance was introduced once again under the German occupation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kreu i shtetit, në historinë e Shqipërisë 100-vjeçare|url=http://gazeta-shqip.com/lajme/2012/05/18/kreu-i-shtetit-ne-historine-e-shqiperise-100-vjecare/|website=gazeta-shqip.com|access-date=18 May 2012|language=sq}}</ref>

The end of the [[second World War]] and the liberation of Albania that took place in 1944 were followed by the holding of the [[Legislative elections in Albania|first parliamentary elections]] in December 1945 and also by the transformation of the [[head of state]]'s function into a collegial body, the Presidium of the [[Parliament of Albania]]. During the communism from 11 January 1946 until 12 December 1990, the functions of the head of state were carried out by [[Omer Nishani]] from 10 January 1946 to 1 August 1953, by [[Haxhi Lleshi]] from 1 August 1953 to 22 November 1982 and by [[Ramiz Alia]] from 22 November 1982 to 22 February 1991. The 'Presidential Council', headed by [[Ramiz Alia]] was founded on 22 February 1991 and it lasted until 30 April 1991.

The election of the first president of the parliamentary [[Albania|Republic of Albania]] on 30 April 1991 by a multi political parties Assembly, marked the foundation of the constitutional institution of the president of Albania.<ref>{{cite web|title=ALBANIA Parliamentary Chamber: Kuvendi Popullor|url=http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2001_91.htm|website=ipu.org|language=en|quote=The 1991 general elections were the first free and multiparty ones in Albania since World War II.}}</ref>

===Electoral system===
The President of Albania is elected by a [[secret vote]] and without debate in the [[Parliament of Albania]]. A candidate needs to receive votes from three-fifths of the total number of parliamentarian to win. If the required majority is not reached in the first round of voting, a second round takes place within seven days. If a majority is still not reached, a third round must take place within a further period of seven days. If required, a further two rounds must be held within seven days, with the majority needed to win reduced to an absolute majority of 50% +1 votes of the total number of parliamentarian. In the fifth round, only the two top candidates from the fourth round are kept. If after five rounds of voting no candidate has attained the necessary majority outlined for each round of voting, Parliament will be dissolved and elections must be held within 45 days.<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|page=Article 86.1|language=Albanian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Albania's Constitution of 1998 with Amendments through 2012 |url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Albania_2012.pdf?lang=en}}</ref>

=== Elections history ===
{{See also|Albanian presidential election, 2017}}

Following the disintegration of the communist regime, the [[Albanian Constitutional Assembly election, 1991|first multi-party elections]] in [[Albania]] were held in 1991, simultaneously with the [[Albanian Constitutional Assembly election, 1991|1991 parliamentary elections]].<ref>[http://www.ipu.org/parline-e/reports/arc/2001_91.htm Albania: Elections held in 1991] Inter-Parliamentary Union</ref> The result was a victory for [[Ramiz Alia]] of the [[Party of Labour of Albania]] (PPSh), who received 56.2% of the vote in the third round of the elections, ahead of 3 other candidates. [[Sali Berisha]], the [[Democratic Party of Albania]] (PD) candidate and runner-up in the election, received almost 38.7% of the vote. [[Ramiz Alia]] resigned as the president on 3 April 1992.<ref>{{cite book|title=Heads of States and Governments Since 1945|date=4 February 2014|isbn=978-1-884964-44-2|edition=Harris M. Lentz|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RwfKAgAAQBAJ&q=ramiz+alia+resigned+president&pg=PA12|last1=Lentz |first1=Harris M. |publisher=Routledge }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Following the death of Enver Hoxha, Albania's long-time (1945-1985) dictator in April 1985, Ramiz Alia (born 1925) became the dominant political personality in the country.|url=http://biography.yourdictionary.com/ramiz-alia|website=biography.yourdictionary.com|language=en}}</ref> The same year, the [[Albanian parliamentary election, 1992|second presidential elections]] were held on 22 March 1992.<ref>[[Dieter Nohlen|Nohlen, D]] & Stöver, P (2010) ''Elections in Europe: A data handbook'', p133 {{ISBN|978-3-8329-5609-7}}</ref> The result was a victory for [[Sali Berisha]] of the [[Democratic Party of Albania]] (PD), who received 57.3% of the vote in the second round of the elections, ahead of 5 other candidates, he was elected as president on 9 April 1992.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha|url=https://president.al/prof-dr-sali-berisha/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë|language=sq-AL}}</ref> Berisha also won the [[1996 Albanian parliamentary election|third presidential election]] in 1997 and was re-elected on 3 February 1997, he resigned due to the [[Albanian unrest]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prof. Dr. Sali Berisha|url=https://president.al/prof-dr-sali-berisha/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë|language=sq-AL}}</ref> The [[1997 Albanian presidential election|fourth presidential election]] were held after the [[1997 Albanian parliamentary election|1997 parliamentary election]]. The result was a victory for [[Rexhep Meidani]] of the [[Socialist Party of Albania]] (PS), who was elected by the [[Parliament of Albania]] through a vote of 110 to 3.<ref>{{Cite news|agency=Associated Press|date=1997-07-25|title=Ex-Communist Is Named President of Albania|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/25/world/ex-communist-is-named-president-of-albania.html|access-date=2021-06-09|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Prof. Dr. Rexhep Meidani|url=https://president.al/prof-dr-rexhep-meidani/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë|language=sq-AL}}</ref>  The [[Albanian presidential election, 2002|fifth presidential elections]] were held on 24 June 2002. The result was a victory for [[Alfred Moisiu]], he was chosen by both [[Socialist Party of Albania]] (PS) and [[Democratic Party of Albania]] (PD) leaders at the time [[Fatos Nano]] (PS leader) and [[Sali Berisha]] (PD leader).<ref>{{Cite web|date=2003-03-06|title=Marrëveshja Nano - Berisha|url=https://tvklan.al/marreveshja-nano-berisha/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=Tv Klan|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=BBC në Shqip {{!}} Lajme {{!}} Pozita dhe opozita përcaktojnë kandidatin për president|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/albanian/020621190811.shtml|access-date=2021-06-09|website=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He was elected by the [[Parliament of Albania]] through a vote of 97 to 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr. Alfred Moisiu|url=http://president.al/?p=298|website=president.al|language=sq}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Debatet për Presidentin që nga Moisiu konsensual deri te Nishani|url=https://shqiptarja.com/news.php?IDNotizia=308022|website=shqiptarja.com|access-date=2 August 2015|language=sq}}</ref>

The [[2007 Albanian presidential election|sixth presidential elections]] were held on 20 June 2007 with almost four rounds. In the first round on 20 June 2007 and 27 June 2007, no candidate was presented. The [[Government of Albania]] and the [[Leader of the Opposition (Albania)|opposition]] presented their proposed candidate lists on 5 July 2007, but did not accept either list. Afterwards, on 14 July 2007 the third round were held. At least in the fourth round on 20 July, [[Bamir Topi]] of the [[Democratic Party of Albania]] (PD) won the election. The [[2012 Albanian presidential election|seventh presidential elections]] were held on 30 May 2012 with four rounds until 11 June 2012. The first through third rounds of voting were inconclusive. In the fourth round, the result was a victory for [[Bujar Nishani]] of the [[Democratic Party of Albania]] (PD). The most recent and [[2017 Albanian presidential election|eighth presidential elections]] were held on 19, 20, 27 and 28 April 2017. In the fourth round the incumbent [[Speaker of the Parliament of Albania|Chairman of the Parliament of Albania]], [[Ilir Meta]] of the [[Socialist Movement for Integration]] (SMI) was elected as seventh president of Albania with 87 votes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ilir Meta, president i ri i Shqipërisë|url=http://telegrafi.com/ilir-meta-presidenti-ri-shqiperise/|website=telegrafi.com|date=28 April 2017 |access-date=28 April 2017|quote=Ilir Metës si president i Republikës}}</ref>

== Powers, duties and responsibilities ==
{{see also|Constitution of Albania|Politics of Albania|Military of Albania}}

As of Article 89 of the [[Albanian Constitution]] sets the following qualifications for holding the presidency, to be a natural-born citizen of the [[Albania|Albanian Republic]], to be at least forty years old and to be a resident in the [[Albania|Republic of Albania]] for at least ten years.<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|page=Article 86.2|language=sq}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=1998 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA|url=http://www.osce.org/albania/41888?download=true|website=osce.org|page=17|language=en|quote=Only an Albanian citizen by birth who has resided in Albania for not less than the past 10 years and who has reached the age of 40 may be elected President.}}</ref>

The president of [[Albania]], officially [[Style (manner of address)|styled]] President of the Republic of Albania represents the unity of the [[Albanians|Albanian people]] in the country and abroad as the [[head of state]]. The president begins his duties officially after he takes the oath before the [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]], but not before the mandate of the president who is leaving has been completed. The president of [[Albania]] is the supreme [[commander-in-chief]] of the [[Armed Forces of Albania|Armed Forces]] of the Republic of Albania and appoints and relieves military commanders of duty, conforming to applicable legislation. Furthermore, the [[Chief of the Albanian General Staff|Chief of the General Staff]] is appointed as well by the president.<ref>{{cite web|title=Struktura e Shtabit të Përgjithshëm|url=http://www.aaf.mil.al/index.php/shtabipergjithshem|website=aaf.mil.al|language=sq}}</ref>

The [[Constitution of Albania|Constitution]], states that the president addresses messages to the [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]], exercises the right of pardon according to the law, grants Albanian citizenship and permits it to be given up according to the law, gives decorations and titles of honor according to the law, accords the highest military rank according to the law, on the proposal of the [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]], he appoints and withdraws plenipotentiary representatives of the [[Albania|Republic of Albania]] to other states and international organizations, accepts letters of credentials and the withdrawal of diplomatic representatives of other states and international organization accredited to him, signs international agreements according to the law, upon proposal of the [[Prime Minister of Albania|Prime Minister]], he appoints the Director of the National Security Department, nominates rectors of universities upon proposal of their council's representatives, sets the date of the elections for the [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]], for the organs of local power and for the conduct of a referendum and requests opinions and information in writing from the directors of state institutions for issues that have to do with their duties.

=== Oath ===

Before assuming presidential duty, the president-elect is required to take an [[oath of office]] before the [[Parliament of Albania|Parliament]], swearing loyalty to the [[Constitution of Albania|Constitution]]. The text of the oath in its Albanian form is sensitive to gender and all nouns always retain a neutral form. The president-elect takes the following oath of office, specified by the [[Constitution of Albania|Constitution]]:<ref>{{cite web|title=KUSHTETUTA E REPUBLIKËS SË SHQIPËRISË|url=http://www.wipo.int/edocs/lexdocs/laws/sq/al/al057sq.pdf|website=wipo.int|language=sq|quote="Betohem se do t'i bindem Kushtetutes dhe ligjeve te vendit, do te respektoj te drejtat dhe lirite e shtetasve, do te mbroj pavaresine e Republikes se Shqiperise dhe do t'i sherbej interesit te pergjithshem dhe perparimit te Popullit Shqiptar". Presidenti mund te shtoje edhe: "zoti me ndihmofte"}}</ref>

{{cquote|[[Albanian language|Albanian]]: {{lang|sq|Betohem se do t’i bindem Kushtetutës dhe ligjeve të vendit, do të respektoj të drejtat dhe liritë e shtetasve, do të mbroj pavarësinë e Republikës së Shqipërisë dhe do t’i shërbej interesit të përgjithshëm dhe përparimit të Popullit Shqiptar. Zoti më ndihmoftë!|italic=no}} 
[[English language|English]]: 
I swear that I will obey to the Constitution and laws of the country, that I will respect the rights and freedoms of citizens, protect the independence of the Republic of Albania, and I will serve the general interest and the progress of the Albanian people. So help me God!}}

=== Office and residence ===
{{main|Presidential Office Building, Tirana|Presidential Palace, Tirana|l1=Presidential Office|l2=Presidential Palace}}

[[File:Albanian_president.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Presidential Office Building, Tirana|Presidential Office]] in [[Tirana]].]]

The [[Presidential Office Building, Tirana|Presidential Office]] ({{Langx|sq|Presidenca}}) is the official workplace of the president. It consists of the immediate staff of the president, as well as support staff reporting to the president. Since the collapse of communism, the building was used as the Office of the president, having been used for this purpose uninterrupted up to this day. The building consists three floors where two entrance gates lead an oval driveway from the [[Dëshmorët e Kombit Boulevard]].

The [[Presidential Palace, Tirana|Presidential Palace]] ({{Langx|sq|Pallati presidencial}}), popularly known as the Palace of Brigades ({{Langx|sq|Pallati i Brigadave}}), is the [[official residence]] of the president of Albania.<ref>{{cite web|title=SELIA E PRESIDENCËS|url=http://www.tirana.al/directory/listing/selia-e-presidences|website=tirana.al|language=sq|access-date=2017-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201081639/http://www.tirana.al/directory/listing/selia-e-presidences|archive-date=2017-12-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Palace was commissioned by King [[Zog I of Albania]] to serve as his main official residence. After the [[second World War]] it has been used by the [[Government of Albania]] for holding official ceremonies and state receptions. Due to its location near the [[Grand Park of Tirana]], its gardens are quite extensive. It is surrounded by trees for nearly 200 metres and decorated in patterns and shapes of various designs. In addition the Palace was designed by Italian well-known architect [[Gherardo Bosio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.balkaneu.com/albanian-presidential-palace-returns-public/#sthash.0ruouq6X.dpuf|title=Albanian Presidential Palace returns to the public|date=17 April 2015|publisher=Independent Balkan News Agency|access-date=4 February 2016}}</ref>

== List of presidents (1925–present) ==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"  width="50%"
|-
! No.
! Portrait
! Name
! colspan=2|Term in office
! Party
|-
| colspan="6" bgcolor="#dfdde0" align=center|[[File:Flag of Albania (1926-1928).svg|25px]] '''[[Albanian Republic (1925–1928)|Albanian Republic]] (1925–1928)'''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Conservative Party of Albania}}; color:white;" |1st
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Ahmet Zogu (portret).jpg|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Zog I of Albania|Ahmet Zogu]]'''<br/>{{small|(1895–1961)}}<br/>[[File:Zogu1 (nënshkrim).svg|55px]]
| 31 January 1925
| 1 September 1928
| rowspan="2"|Party of Traditions
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|1925|02|01|1928|09|01|}}''
|-
| colspan="6" bgcolor="#dfdde0" align=center|[[File:Flag of Albania.svg|25px]] '''[[Albania|Republic of Albania]] (1991–present)'''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Party of Labour of Albania}}; color:white;" |2nd
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Ramiz Alia (portret).jpg|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Ramiz Alia]]'''<br/>{{small|(1925–2011)}}<br/>[[File:Ramiz Alia (nënshkrim).svg|55px]]
| 30 April 1991
| 3 April 1992
| rowspan="2"|[[Socialist Party of Albania|Socialist Party]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|1991|04|30|1992|04|03|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party of Albania}}; color:white;" |3rd
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Sali Berisha 2008.jpg|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Sali Berisha]]'''<br/>{{small|(born 1944)}}<br/>[[File:Sali Berisha (nënshkrim).svg|55px]]
| 9 April 1992
| 23 July 1997
| rowspan="2"|[[Democratic Party of Albania|Democratic Party]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|1992|04|09|1997|07|23|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Socialist Party of Albania}}; color:white;" |4th
| rowspan="2"|{{CSS image crop|Image=Pavel Hradečný.jpg|Location=center|bSize=400|cWidth=85|cHeight=130|oTop=5|oLeft=0}}
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Rexhep Meidani]]'''<br/>{{small|(born 1944)}}<br/>[[File:Rexhep Meidani (nënshkrim).svg|50px]]
| 24 July 1997
| 24 July 2002
| rowspan="2"|[[Socialist Party of Albania|Socialist Party]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|1997|07|24|2002|07|24|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}}; |5th
| rowspan="2"|[[File:AlfredMoisiu.png|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Alfred Moisiu]]'''<br/>{{small|(born 1929)}}<br/>[[File:Alfred Moisiu (nënshkrim).svg|50px]]
| 24 July 2002
| 24 July 2007
| rowspan="2"|[[Independent politician|Independent]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|2002|07|24|2007|07|24|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party of Albania}}; color:white;" |6th
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Bamir Topi 2.jpg|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Bamir Topi]]'''<br/>{{small|(born 1957)}}<br/>[[File:Bamir Topi (nënshkrim).svg|45px]]
| 24 July 2007
| 24 July 2012
| rowspan="2"|[[Democratic Party of Albania|Democratic Party]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|2007|07|24|2012|07|24|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Democratic Party of Albania}}; color:white;" |7th
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Bujar Nishani (03-10-2016).jpg|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Bujar Nishani]]'''<br/>{{small|(1966–2022)}}<br/>[[File:Bujar Nishani (nënshkrim).svg|45px]]
| 24 July 2012
| 24 July 2017
| rowspan="2"|[[Democratic Party of Albania|Democratic Party]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|2012|7|24|2017|7|24|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Socialist Movement for Integration}}; color:white;" |8th
| rowspan="2"|[[File:President of Albania Ilir Meta.jpg|75px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Ilir Meta]]'''<br/>{{small|''(born 1969)''}}<br/>[[File:Ilir Meta (nënshkrim).svg|40px]]
| 24 July 2017
| 24 July 2022
| rowspan="2"|[[Socialist Movement for Integration]]
|-
| colspan="2"|''{{age in years, months and days|2017|07|24|2022|07|24|}}''
|-
! rowspan="2" style="background:{{party color|Independent politician}}; color:black;" |9th
| rowspan="2"|[[File:Bajram Begaj (infobox crop).jpg|85px]]
| rowspan="2"|'''[[Bajram Begaj]]'''<br/>''{{small|(born 1967)}}''<br>
| 24 July 2022
| Incumbent
| rowspan="2"|''[[Independent politician|Independent]]''
|-
| colspan="2"| ''{{age in years, months and days|2022|07|24}}''
|}

== First Lady of Albania ==
{{Main|First Lady of Albania}}

[[File:Arolsen Klebeband 01 453 3.jpg|thumb|right|During the Middle Ages, [[Albanians]] used several titles for the spouses of Albanian monarchs. [[Donika Kastrioti]] was known as the spouse of [[Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg]].]]

The title [[First Lady of Albania]] is an unofficial title; it is not an elected one, carries no official duties, and receives no salary. Nonetheless, first ladies have held a highly visible position in Albanian society. The role has evolved over the years, but she is, first and foremost, the spouse of the president. However, she accompanies the president in state and [[Official Visit|official visits]] abroad the borders of Albania. She generally oversees the administration of [[Presidential Palace, Tirana|Presidential Palace]], the mansion that serves as the [[official residence]], while the [[Presidential Office Building, Tirana|Presidenca]] serves as the official office. They also organize events and civic programs, and typically get involved in different charities and social causes.

{| class="wikitable" 
|-
! Birthname
! Relation to the president
|-
| ''[[Geraldine of Albania|Geraldine Apponyi]]''{{efn|Geraldine Apponyi would marry Ahmet Zogu in 1938.}}
| future wife of President [[Ahmet Zogu]]
|-
| ''Semiramis Xhuvani''{{efn|Semiramis Xhuvani, the daughter of prominent scholar [[Aleksandër Xhuvani]] died before her husband took office of the presidency.}}
| wife of future President [[Ramiz Alia]]
|-
| [[Liri Berisha|Lirie Ramaj]]
| wife of President [[Sali Berisha]]
|-
| Lidra Karagjozi
| wife of President [[Rexhep Meidani]]
|-
| ''Milica Niça''{{efn|Milica Niça was deceased when Alfred Moisiu was appointed President of the Republic. His youngest daughter, Mirela, carried the First Lady duties.}}
| wife of future President [[Alfred Moisiu]]
|-
| [[Teuta Topi|Teuta Mema]]
| wife of President [[Bamir Topi]]
|-
| [[Odeta Nishani|Odeta Kosova]]
| wife of President [[Bujar Nishani]]
|-
| ''[[Monika Kryemadhi]]''{{efn|Monika Kryemadhi, as a Member of Parliament and the leader of the second largest opposition party, [[Socialist Movement for Integration|LSI]], refused to take on the duties of the First Lady, therefore the couple's eldest child, Bora, resumed her place.}}
| ex-wife of President [[Ilir Meta]]
|-
| Armanda Ymeri
| wife of President [[Bajram Begaj]]
|}

== See also ==
* [[Politics of Albania]]
* [[List of heads of state of Albania]]
* [[First Lady of Albania]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.president.al Official Website]{{in lang|sq}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120716210958/http://www.president.al/english/pub/presidentet.asp A brief history of the institution]

{{Albania topics}}
{{Heads of state of Albania}}
{{Europe heads of state and government}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:President Of Albania}}
[[Category:Presidents of Albania]]
[[Category:Politics of Albania]]
[[Category:Government of Albania]]
[[Category:Lists of national presidents|Albania]]
[[Category:1991 establishments in Albania]]