Albania elects top general as new president

Albania's parliament on Saturday voted in chief of defense Bajram Begaj as the country's new president, a largely ceremonial position, Report informs via Reuters.

With 78 votes in favor in the 140-seat parliament, Begaj will run Albania's highest office for the next five years.

Major General Bajram Begaj, 55, became chief of defense of Albania's armed forces in 2020 after holding different positions within the army, mainly in the field of medicine. Begaj will take office in July from outgoing president Ilir Meta. He was elected in the fourth round of voting after three previous rounds failed to reach a consensus.