Bajram Begaj

See also: 2022 Albanian presidential election

Further information: List of international presidential trips made by Bajram Begaj

On 24 July 2022, Begaj was inaugurated as the incumbent president of Albania for a five-year term. ^{[4] [1] [2]} His election followed a series of parliamentary proceedings that commenced on 10 May, when the parliament of Albania initiated the process for presidential selection. ^{[5] [6]} Despite challenges in achieving consensus on a suitable candidate, the governing Socialist Party (PS) nominated Begaj on 3 June for the fourth round of voting, after he resigned from his position as Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces. ^{[5] [7] [8]} He was subsequently elected with 78 votes in favor, exceeding the required majority, while the opposition led by the Democratic Party (PD) abstained from participation in the voting process. ^[9] The tenure of Begaj has been marked by a commitment to enhancing Albania's international relations and advancing Euro-Atlantic integration. ^[10] Since assuming office, he has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, undertaking numerous international diplomatic visits to foster partnerships and elevate Albania's global standing. ^[11]

Personal life

Begaj is married to Armanda Begaj, with whom he has two sons, Dorian and Klajdi. ^{[12] [13]}

Honours and accolades

• Italy  –Honorary Citizen of Pallagorio ^[14]
•  Italy –Honorary Citizen of Rossano ^[15]
• Kosovo  –Honorary Citizen of Deçan ^{[16] [17]}
•  Kosovo –Honorary Citizen of Drenas ^{[18] [19]}

References

1. "Bajram Begaj, Chief of Defence of". NATO.
2. "Major-General-Bajram-Begaj-appointed-as-the-new-Chief-of-the-General-Staff-of-the-Albanian-Armed-Forces". mod.gov.al. Retrieved 2021-07-04.
3. "U dekretua gjeneral major nga presidenti Meta, kush është komandanti Bajram Bega?". BalkanWeb. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
4. "Fjala e Presidentit të Republikës, Sh. T. Z. Bajram Begaj gjatë ceremonisë së betimit në Kuvendin e Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Presidenca. 24 July 2022. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
5. "Presidenti/ Më 16 maj raundi i parë, 5 ditë për kandidaturat. Pd: E keni zgjedhur emrin". Dosja (in Albanian). 10 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
6. "Lack of Candidates Thwarts Vote on President in Albanian Parliament". Exit. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
7. Cuka, Fatjon (3 June 2022). "Bajram Begaj propozohet si kandidat për postin e Presidentit të Shqipërisë" (in Albanian). Anadolu Agency (AA). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
8. Ruci, Ani (3 June 2022). "Shqipëri: PS propozon një gjeneral për President" (in Albanian). Deutsche Welle (DW). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
9. Öztürk, Mustafa Talha (5 June 2022). "Albanian parliament elects Bajram Begaj new president". Belgrade: Anadolu Agency (AA). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
10. "President Bajram Begaj takes office". Tirana Times . 25 July 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
11. Semini, Llazar (24 July 2022). "Albania's newly sworn-in president urges political unity". Associated Press (AP). Retrieved 11 October 2024.
12. "Nga zyrat e KLSH-së drejt titullit Zonjë e Parë, njihuni me Armanda Begajn, gruan e presidentit". www.dosja.al (in Albanian). 5 June 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
13. "Pasuritë milionëshe të presidentit të ri, Bajram Begaj". www.kumtari.al (in Albanian). 20 June 2022. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
14. "Presidenti Begaj 'Qytetar Nderi' i arbëreshëve të Kalabrisë". Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë (in Albanian). Presidenca. 3 May 2024. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
15. "Presidenti Begaj shpallet 'Qytetar Nderi' nga Komuna e Roshanos". Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë (in Albanian). Presidenca. 28 May 2023. Archived from the original on 19 April 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
16. Ibrahimi, Majlinda (23 June 2024). "Presidenti Begaj merr titullin 'Qytetar Nderi' në Deçan". Koha (in Albanian). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
17. Komuna e Deçanit (24 June 2024). "Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë, Sh.T.Z. Bajram Begaj u dekorua me titullin 'Qytetar Nderi' në Deçan" (in Albanian). Retrieved 18 October 2024.
18. "Pas Deçanit, Begaj do të shpallet ' Qytetar nderi' edhe në Drenas". Zëri (in Albanian). 24 June 2024. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
19. "Vendim për shpalljen e SH. T. Z. Prof. Dr. Bajram Begaj si 'Qytetar Nderi' i Komunës së Drenasit" (PDF) (in Albanian). Drenas: Komuna e Drenasit. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2024.

His Excellency Major General Bajram Begaj
Begaj in 2025
8th President of Albania
Incumbent
Assumed office 24 July 2022

Military offices
Preceded by Bardhyl Kollçaku	Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces 2020–2022	Succeeded by Arben Kingji
Political offices
Preceded by Ilir Meta	President of Albania 2022–present	Incumbent