The name of Bajram Bega as a candidate for president surprised political Tirana today. As the journalist Lutfi Dervishi writes with irony that “ the Prime Minister kept this process silent until the last second. And even the employer himself found out last along with the public. "The silence more than the public opinion seems to have been towards the 'oligarchs' and the 'opinionists' who this time went out of the game with the predictions and the feeling that the important things in this country are decided by us!"
Prime Minister Edi Rama said that Begaj was chosen among the 26 names that were discussed in the SP Presidency. "In the last list were 6 names, 3 women and 3 men", said Rama answering the question why there was no candidate for President.
Meanwhile, it is learned that the strongest names to be a candidate for president were also Ardian Dvorani, Ina Rama and Majlinda Bregu. It is learned that Dvorani was very close to the selection, but the main argument against him was that he has passed all the qualifications for the justice system and the system needs him. The same argument was used for former Chief Prosecutor Ina Rama. Majlinda Bregu was also very supportive, but there was also great opposition. It is learned that another name that was proposed was the historian Nevila Nika.
Everyone spoke with respect and conviction Bajram Begaj was favored because he is one of the favorite names from Washington, while within the socialist parliamentary group there was no opponent for his name, while it was agreed that his candidacy was appropriate for the post of President of the Republic.
Begaj will become the third president to come from the ranks of the army.
The 55-year-old born in Rrogozhina has completed his studies at the Faculty of Medicine. He then entered his military career and holds the rank of "Major General" which he received from President Ilir Meta in July 2020.
Before him, the president with a military career was the late Bujar Nishani. He was elected president in 2012 and served a term until 2017.
He came to this post from an academic career at the Albanian Armed Forces and several years of engagement in the Albanian Ministry of Defense in the first decade of the democratic transition. He had previously held the position of Minister of Interior and Minister of Justice.
The first military president was Alfred Moisiu elected in 2002. Spiro Moisiu's son had a long career in the army, from instructor at the Skanderbeg Military Academy, officer, commander, deputy minister of defense and minister of defense. Moisiu held this position until July 24, 2007, when President Bamir Topi took over as head of state.
Before them from a military career but due to the circumstances of the war were Ahmet Zogu and Enver Hoxha.