
Former Deputy Prime Minister and former Minister of Agriculture, Zyhdi Pepa, has passed away at the age of 79.
The news was announced by the head of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, Taulant Balla.
"On behalf of the Socialist Party Parliamentary Group, I expressed my condolences today to the family of our friend and professor Zyhdi Pepa, who passed away.
"Zyhdi Pepa represented the Socialist Party as a member of parliament in two legislatures, and was also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture. Rest in peace, Professor," Balla wrote.
Zyhdi Pepa served as Minister of Agriculture during 1991–1992, at a time when agriculture constituted one of the most sensitive and vital sectors of the Albanian economy.
His mandate coincided with the first processes of economic reform, land privatization, and reorganization of state institutions after the fall of the communist regime.
During the same period, Pepa also served as Deputy Prime Minister, being part of the stability government tasked with managing the country's political and institutional transition.
The government he participated in was composed of representatives from a diverse political spectrum and aimed to guarantee order, basic reforms, and prepare free elections.
He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture in the government of Ylli Bufi and then in that of Vilson Ahmeti.