DOCSLIB.ORG

Albania: Impeachment of the President, Subject to the Meaning of “Serious Violation”

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Albania: Impeachment of the President, Subject to the Meaning of “Serious Violation” Policy Article June 2021 ALBANIA: IMPEACHMENT OF THE PRESIDENT, SUBJECT TO THE MEANING OF “SERIOUS VIOLATION” Analysis and Scenarios The impeachment of President Ilir Meta has caused quite a vortex in Albania. All attention is now turned to the Constitutional Court, as it will have the final word on whether President Meta will be dismissed or will remain in office. The Court will also need to determine the meaning of the “serious violation” of the Constitution, in the absence of a constitutional and legal definition. What will happen after the ruling is quite uncertain as well. Different scenarios might work, while the whole process will be a remarkable political and legal challenge. SUMMARY On 9 June 2021, the Parliament of the Republic of Albania impeached President Ilir Meta.1 This is the second time the Socialist Party attempts to dismiss the President; in 2019, MPs from the Socialist Party accused President Meta of violating the Constitution by cancelling local elections, and an Inquiry Commission was established to investigate and report on its findings. Before issuing its report, the Inquiry Commission requested an opinion from the Venice Commission. The Commission concluded that although the President had exceeded his constitutional competences by cancelling local elections, his violations may not meet the established criteria for an impeachment.2 This time, the allegations are not related to any concrete legal act issued by the President. Instead, the accusations refer to the President’s various statements made prior to and during the general elections. 104 out of 122 MPs voted in favour of the President’s dismissal. 3 The latter denied all accusations, insisting on the lack of legitimacy of the Parliament to do so.4 On 14 June 2021, the Parliament forwarded its decision to the Constitutional Court, which shall rule on the impeachment, within 3 months. While it is clear that the Constitutional Court may either rule against the impeachment, or 1 U.S.News, “Albanian Parliament Impeaches President for Vote Comments”, 9 June 2021, at https://www.usnews.com/news/ world/articles/2021-06-09/albanian-parliament-impeaches-president-for-vote-comments 2 Venice Commission Opinion, 14 October 2019, at https://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL- AD(2019)019-e 3 U.S.News, “Albanian Parliament Impeaches President for Vote Comments”, 9 June 2021, at https://www.usnews.com/news/ world/articles/2021-06-09/albanian-parliament-impeaches-president-for-vote-comments 4 In February, 2019, MPs from the Democratic Party and the Socialist Movement for Integration gave up their mandates, while trying to overthrow the government. Until then, the Parliament has been functioning with 122 out of 140 MPs, whereas the absolute majority are supporters of the Socialist Party. The President and his supporters claim that such composition of the Parliament leaves the latter with no political or moral legitimacy to initiate the dismissal. Moreover, Meta argues that the current Parliament is in a post-election transition period, with its mandate ending in September 2021, which is why it is not eligible to conduct any investigation activities. Albania: Impeachment of the President, subject to the meaning of “Serious Violation” dismiss the President, what happens after remains quite unsure. Also, the Constitutional Court will have to work with unclear constitutional and legal provisions. For instance, there is no definition of the “serious violation” of the Constitution for which the President can be dismissed. In absence of such provisions, the Constitutional Court may seek the opinion of the Venice Commission before ruling. The Constitutional Court will either have to work intensely and rule as soon as possible, or everything will be delayed until September. Considering all circumstances, the second option seems more probable. However, the issue is that if Ilir Meta is still President when the new Parliament is constituted in September, he will have to mandate the candidate for the formation of the new government, Edi Rama. This will surely be an unfavourable situation for both parties, following the impeachment, and new political crises may ensue. It appears that the dismissal of President Meta will be a quite lengthy process with an uncertain ending. This would be a result of the: lack of constitutional and legal clarity, and lack of precedents to rely on, as this is the first case to happen in Albania since the fall of communism. Hence, various interpretations, debates, analyses, and recommendations are already being brought up, as everyone eagerly awaits to see how this process will unfold. A BRIEF BACKGROUND TO THE STORY The pre-election period in Albania was quite hectic. Just two days prior to the elections, the leader of the Socialist Party and Prime minister in Office Edi Rama, announced that they would initiate the impeachment of President Meta, if he would not resign after the elections.5 Weeks before, the President had promised his resignation himself, if Edi Rama would win 71 mandates.6 Yet, although Rama won 74 mandates, Meta refused to resign, claiming that the votes were manipulated. This is not the first time President Meta throws such accusations against Rama. Prior to the election, he had even threatened that the people would take the streets if Rama attempted to manipulate the elections. In the end, the Socialist Party (SP) won the elections, and, once again, secured 74 seats in the Parliament, while the results were quite different for the opposition. 5 Gazetaexpress, “Edi Rama paralajmëron lëvizjen e radhës ndaj presidentit Meta: Ka dy skenarë” [Edi Rama warns the next move against president Meta: There are two scenarios], 23 April 2021, at https://www.gazetaexpress.com/edi-rama-paralajmeron- levizjen-e-radhes-ndaj-presidentit-meta-ka-dy-skenare/ 6 BalkanWeb “Ilir Meta: Jap dorëheqjen më 26 prill, nëse Edi Rama fiton 71 mandate pa prekur votat!” [Ilir Meta: I will resign on 26 April, if Edi Rama wins 71 mandates without interfering with the votes!], 1 March 2021, at https://www.balkanweb.com/ilir-meta- jap-doreheqjen-me-26-prill-nese-edi-rama-fiton-71-mandate-pa-prekur-votat/ 2 Albania: Impeachment of the President, subject to the meaning of “Serious Violation” 80 70 74 Seats 74 Seats 60 50 59 Seats 40 43 Seats 30 20 19 Seats 10 1Seat 4 Seats 3 Seats 0 2017 2021 SP (Socialist Party) DP (Democratic Party) SMI (Socialist Movement for Integration) SDP (Socialist Democratic Party) On 30 April, a few days after winning the elections, the Socialist Party submitted a request to the Parliament to initiate the impeachment of President Meta. They claimed that Meta made politically biased statements, prior to and during the election campaign. They accused him of inciting violence and therefore, violating the Constitution.7 To investigate President Meta’s actions, the Parliament established an Inquiry Commission which – as many expected – concluded that the President had seriously violated the Constitution, and proposed his dismissal.8 Among others, the Commission states that “[..] the President has acted in contradiction with his role and constitutional functions as the head of the State and as the representative of national unity.”9 Taking into account such violations, the Commission also concluded that Meta “cannot continue to exercise his role as President”.10 Hence, on 9 June 2021, the Parliament approved the Commission’s report and impeached the President of the Republic. Unless he resigns from the position, Ilir Meta will continue to act as President, while waiting for the ruling of the Constitutional Court. 7 AA “Partia Socialiste kërkesë Kuvendit të Shqipërisë për shkarkimin e presidentit Meta” [The Socialist Party requests the Parliament of Albania to impeach President Meta], 3 May 2021, at https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkani/partia-socialiste-k%C3%ABrkes%C3%AB- kuvendit-t%C3%AB-shqip%C3%ABris%C3%AB-p%C3%ABr-shkarkimin-e-presidentit-meta/2228103 8 Final Report of the Investigative Commission, May 2021, at https://www.parlament.al/Files/Lajme/Dokument/RAPORT%20 P%C3%8BRFUNDIMTAR%20I%20KOMISIONIT%20HETIMOR.pdf 9 Ibid. 10 Ibid. 3 Albania: Impeachment of the President, subject to the meaning of “Serious Violation” PROCEDURE FOR THE DISMISSAL OF THE PRESIDENT The procedure for the dismissal of the President of the Republic of Albania is established by: 1. ARTICLE 88 (2) (3) of the Constitution11 2. ARTICLES 109 and 112 of the Rules of Procedures of the Parliament12 and 3. ARTICLES 61-63 of the Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Constitutional Court in Albania.13 The procedure for the dismissal of the President flows through the stages presented below. The first step is the MPs’ request for the impeachment of the President. The procedure continues in the Parliament which, upon voting on the impeachment, transfers the case to the Constitutional Court. If it decides to continue with the judicial review of the case, the Court shall then rule on the impeachment. The impeachment should receive the majority of the votes, which is 7 out of a total of 9 judges.14 However, in the case at hand, the Constitutional Court is in the process of hiring new judges to complete its composition. Meanwhile, the Court functions with only 7 judges in its composition, so 5 votes will be needed for the dismissal.15 11 Constitution of the Republic of Albania, at: http://www.pp.gov.al/web/kushtetuta_2016_1082.pdf 12 Rules of Procedure of the Parliament of the Republic of Albania, at: https://www.parlament.al/Files/sKuvendi/rregullorja.pdf 13 Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Constitutional Court of Albania, at: http://www.gjk.gov.al/web/ligj_per_ organizimin_dhe_funksionimin_e_gjykates_kushtetuese_2016_1667.pdf 14 Law on the Organization and Functioning of the Constitutional Court, Article 72 (2) 15 One judge in 2018, and another one in 2019, were dismissed from the Constitutional Court, leaving the latter with only 7 judges.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Albania: the State of the Nation 2001
    ALBANIA: THE STATE OF THE NATION 2001 25 May 2001 ICG Balkans Report N°111 Tirana/Brussels Table of Contents MAP OF ALBANIA……………………………………………………………………………….i EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS…………………………………...ii I. INTRODUCTION........................................................................................... 1 II. RELATIONS WITH ALBANIA’S BALKAN NEIGHBOURS ................................ 2 A. Kosovo ................................................................................................. 4 B. Montenegro.......................................................................................... 6 C. Macedonia............................................................................................ 6 III.ALBANIAN-GREEK RELATIONS.................................................................... 9 A. The Local Elections in Himara............................................................ 11 B. The State of War ................................................................................ 13 C. Repairing the Damage ....................................................................... 13 IV. INTERNAL POLITICAL AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENTS ............................... 15 A. The Socialist Party ............................................................................. 16 B. The Democratic Party ........................................................................ 16 C. The New Democratic Party ................................................................ 17 D. Emigration ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Hemr. Ilir META
    Bank of Albania Annual Conference BANKING DEVELOPMENTS AND FINANCIAL MARKET INFRASTRUCTURE The role of structure, size and market infrastructure in risks mitigation and nancial intermediation SPEAKERS’ BIOS Gent SEJKO Governor Bank of Albania Mr Gent Sejko is the Governor of the Bank of Albania and Chairman of its Supervisory Council, as of February 2015. He was voted in as Governor by the Parliament of the Republic of Albania on 5 February 2015, upon the Decree of the9 President of the Republic of Albania. Mr Sejko graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana, in 1991, in industrial economics. He earned a Master’s degree in International Accounting and Financial Management (MAcc) from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1997, with his thesis on the “Role of banks and privatisation of banks in economies in transition”. Mr Sejko started his banking career in 1992 as Head of Credit Division of the National Commercial Bank. Then he worked as an Inspector at the Supervision Department of the Bank of Albania, until 1998, while pursuing his post-university studies. During 1998-2000, Mr Sejko worked for Deloitte & Touche as senior auditor and consultant, responsible for the management of audit procedures. In the years 2001-2002, he worked for the American Bank of Albania as Head of Internal Audit and Compliance Division, and engaged in extending the branches network of the bank. During 2002-2004, Mr Sejko returned to the Bank of Albania’s Supervision Department as Head of Division for on-site examinations. In the period 2004-2010, he held a number of managing positions at Raiffeisen Bank such as Head of Division for the Internal Audit, Compliance and Relations with the Government, Director General of Raiffeisen Leasing, and Head of Corporate Banking.
    [Show full text]
  • Revista Euromediterranean Nr. 3
    BOTIM I UNIVERSITETIT MESDHETAR TË SHQIPËRISË EUROMEDITERRANEAN Revistë periodike shkencore 3 Dhjetor 2012 Tiranë, Dhjetor 2011 © UMSH PRESS EUROMEDITERRANEAN Revistë shkencore Botim i UNIVERSITETIT MESDHETAR TË SHQIPËRISË Nën Drejtimin e Akad.Asoc. Prof. Dr Anastas ANGJELI Bordi i Nderi Kryeredaktor Prof.Dr.Arben Put MA. Ilir HEBOVIJA Prof.Dr.Artistotel Pano Prof.Dr.Sabah Hilmija Prof.Dr.Ilia Kristo Redaktorë Shkencore Prof.Dr.Emin Riza MA.Nevila RAMA Prof.Dr.Vasil Tole MA.Kriton KUÇI Bordi Drejtues-Shkencor -Editorial Kryetar Prof.Dr.ANASTAS ANGJELI Akademik i Asoc. Anëtarë Prof.Dr.Kosta Bajraba Prof.Dr Ilia Kristo Prof.Dr. Esmeralda Uruçi Prof.Dr. Stefan Çapaliku MA. Ben Blushi Prof.Asoc. Mimoza Manxhari Prof.Dr.Orfea Dhuci Dr. Hysen Çela Dr. Altin Hoti Dr. Fatos Ibrahimi Dr.Skender Demaliaj MA. Gjergj Teneqexhi MA. Ardian Petollari MA. Nevila Rama MA Jona MARASHI MA. Ilr Aliaj MA.Besnik Leskaj MA. Kriton Kuci MA. Etleva Vertopi MA.Merita Myftari MA. Emilio Cika Kopertina Quick Advertise Faqosja: Dafina Stojko © UMSH PRESS Shtypyr: GEER, 2012 PËRMBAJTJA DREJT SHQIPËRISË SË ZHVILLUAR: SKENARË LIGJORE DHE FINANCIARË PËR ZHVILLIMIN E BUJQËSISË DHE SISTEMIT BANKAR Anastas ANGJELI Universiteti Mesdhetar i Shqipërisë Ilir BARJABA Stanford University Kristaq GJYLI Universiteti i Tiranës ........................................................................................................ 7 KOMPANITE BULLGARE PERBALLE KRIZES GLOBALE 2008-2009 Donika ANDREEVA University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bullgari ...................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ligjvënësit Shqipëtarë Në Vite
    LIGJVËNËSIT SHQIPTARË NË VITE Viti 1920 Këshilli Kombëtar i Lushnjës (Senati) Një dhomë, 37 deputetë 27 mars 1920–20 dhjetor 1920 Zgjedhjet u mbajtën më 31 janar 1920. Xhemal NAIPI Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1920) Dhimitër KACIMBRA Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1920) Lista emërore e senatorëve 1. Abdurrahman Mati 22. Myqerem HAMZARAJ 2. Adem GJINISHI 23. Mytesim KËLLIÇI 3. Adem PEQINI 24. Neki RULI 4. Ahmet RESULI 25. Osman LITA 5. Bajram bej CURRI 26. Qani DISHNICA 6. Bektash CAKRANI 27. Qazim DURMISHI 7. Beqir bej RUSI 28. Qazim KOCULI 8. Dine bej DIBRA 29. Ramiz DACI 9. Dine DEMA 30. Rexhep MITROVICA 10. Dino bej MASHLARA 31. Sabri bej HAFIZ 11. Dhimitër KACIMBRA 32. Sadullah bej TEPELENA 12. Fazlli FRASHËRI 33. Sejfi VLLAMASI 13. Gjergj KOLECI 34. Spiro Jorgo KOLEKA 14. Halim bej ÇELA 35. Spiro PAPA 15. Hilë MOSI 36. Shefqet VËRLACI 16. Hysein VRIONI 37. Thanas ÇIKOZI 17. Irfan bej OHRI 38. Veli bej KRUJA 18. Kiço KOÇI 39. Visarion XHUVANI 19. Kolë THAÇI 40. Xhemal NAIPI 20. Kostaq (Koço) KOTA 41. Xhemal SHKODRA 21. Llambi GOXHAMANI 42. Ymer bej SHIJAKU Viti 1921 Këshilli Kombëtar/Parlamenti Një dhomë, 78 deputetë 21 prill 1921–30 shtator 1923 Zgjedhjet u mbajtën më 5 prill 1921. Pandeli EVANGJELI Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1921) Eshref FRASHËRI Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1922–1923) 1 Lista emërore e deputetëve të Këshillit Kombëtar (Lista pasqyron edhe ndryshimet e bëra gjatë legjislaturës.) 1. Abdyl SULA 49. Mehdi FRASHËRI 2. Agathokli GJITONI 50. Mehmet PENGILI 3. Ahmet HASTOPALLI 51. Mehmet PILKU 4. Ahmet RESULI 52. Mithat FRASHËRI 5.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 LIGJVËNËSIT SHQIPTARË NË VITE Viti 1920 Këshilli Kombëtar I
    LIGJVËNËSIT SHQIPTARË NË VITE Viti 1920 Këshilli Kombëtar i Lushnjës (Senati) Një dhomë, 37 deputetë 27 mars 1920–20 dhjetor 1920 Zgjedhjet u mbajtën më 31 janar 1920. Xhemal NAIPI Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1920) Dhimitër KACIMBRA Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1920) Lista emërore e senatorëve 1. Abdurrahman Mati 22. Myqerem HAMZARAJ 2. Adem GJINISHI 23. Mytesim KËLLIÇI 3. Adem PEQINI 24. Neki RULI 4. Ahmet RESULI 25. Osman LITA 5. Bajram bej CURRI 26. Qani DISHNICA 6. Bektash CAKRANI 27. Qazim DURMISHI 7. Beqir bej RUSI 28. Qazim KOCULI 8. Dine bej DIBRA 29. Ramiz DACI 9. Dine DEMA 30. Rexhep MITROVICA 10. Dino bej MASHLARA 31. Sabri bej HAFIZ 11. Dhimitër KACIMBRA 32. Sadullah bej TEPELENA 12. Fazlli FRASHËRI 33. Sejfi VLLAMASI 13. Gjergj KOLECI 34. Spiro Jorgo KOLEKA 14. Halim bej ÇELA 35. Spiro PAPA 15. Hilë MOSI 36. Shefqet VËRLACI 16. Hysein VRIONI 37. Thanas ÇIKOZI 17. Irfan bej OHRI 38. Veli bej KRUJA 18. Kiço KOÇI 39. Visarion XHUVANI 19. Kolë THAÇI 40. Xhemal NAIPI 20. Kostaq (Koço) KOTA 41. Xhemal SHKODRA 21. Llambi GOXHAMANI 42. Ymer bej SHIJAKU Viti 1921 Këshilli Kombëtar/Parlamenti Një dhomë, 78 deputetë 21 prill 1921–30 shtator 1923 Zgjedhjet u mbajtën më 5 prill 1921. Pandeli EVANGJELI Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1921) Eshref FRASHËRI Kryetar i Këshillit Kombëtar (1922–1923) 1 Lista emërore e deputetëve të Këshillit Kombëtar (Lista pasqyron edhe ndryshimet e bëra gjatë legjislaturës.) 1. Abdyl SULA 49. Mehdi FRASHËRI 2. Agathokli GJITONI 50. Mehmet PENGILI 3. Ahmet HASTOPALLI 51. Mehmet PILKU 4. Ahmet RESULI 52. Mithat FRASHËRI 5.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal Unit
    GCMIGRATION Journal No. 1 Monday, 10 December 2018 Journal of the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration Marrakech (10 - 11 December 2018) Official meetings Monday, 10 December 2018 General Assembly Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration 09:00 to 13:00 1st plenary meeting [webcast] Plenary Hall 1. Opening of the Conference [item 1] 2. Election of the President [item 2] 3. Opening statements [item 1] His Excellency Nasser Bourita, President of the Conference His Excellency António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations Her Excellency María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the General Assembly Ms. Cheryl Perea, founder of OneChild and representative from the migrant community Mr. Erol Kiresepi, Chief Executive Officer of Santa Farma Pharmaceuticals and representative from the private sector 4. Adoption of the rules of procedure (A/CONF.231/2) [item 3] 5. Adoption of the agenda (A/CONF.231/1) [item 4] 6. Election of officers other than the President [item 5] (continued on page 2) 18-20785E 18-20785E Think Green ! Please recycle GCMIGRATION Journal No. 1 Journal of the United Nations Monday, 10 December 2018 7. Outcome of the Conference (A/CONF.231/L.1 and A/CONF.231/3) [item 10] 8. Organization of work, including the establishment of subsidiary organs, and other organizational matters (A/CONF.231/4) [item 6] 9. Credentials of representatives to the Conference: Appointment of members of the Credentials
    [Show full text]
  • Albania Political Briefing: a Presidential Impeachment and the Constitutional Court Marsela Musabelliu
    ISSN: 2560-1601 Vol. 42, No. 1 (Al) July 2021 Albania political briefing: A Presidential Impeachment and the Constitutional Court Marsela Musabelliu 1052 Budapest Petőfi Sándor utca 11. +36 1 5858 690 Kiadó: Kína-KKE Intézet Nonprofit Kft. [email protected] Szerkesztésért felelős személy: CHen Xin Kiadásért felelős személy: Huang Ping china-cee.eu 2017/01 A Presidential Impeachment and the Constitutional Court Summary 2021 has been a year of “firsts” for Albanian politics. For the first time in three decades of transition, a party wins three mandates in a raw. For the first time as well, an Albanian president is actively involved in the electoral campaign. On June 9th, the Albanian Parliament impeached and formally discharged the President of his duties with an overwhelming majority of the votes (104 out of 122). This briefing will interpret the events leading up to this case, current behaviors and future potential ramification of a peculiar presidential story standing at an intersection of political and legal arguments. Introduction According to the Constitution of the Republic of Albania, a President can be impeached on the bases of three main allegations: treason, mental unfitness or serious violations of the Constitution. If the entire process initiates, there would be needed 93 votes of the Members of the Parliament (MP) as well as the approval of the Constitutional Court. Trying to dismiss a president of his duties is not something normal in Albania, but also, the current President Ilir Meta, is everything but ordinary. No president before has had a public presence as deep and peculiar as him.
    [Show full text]
  • Albania by Gledis Gjipali
    Albania by Gledis Gjipali Capital: Tirana Population: 3.2 million GNI/capita, PPP: US$8,820 Source: The data above are drawn from the World Bank’sWorld Development Indicators 2013. Nations in Transit Ratings and Averaged Scores 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Electoral Process 3.75 3.75 3.50 4.00 4.00 3.75 3.75 4.00 4.25 4.25 Civil Society 3.50 3.25 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 Independent Media 3.75 4.00 3.75 3.75 3.75 3.75 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Governance* 4.25 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a National Democratic Governance n/a 4.25 4.00 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.50 4.75 4.75 5.00 Local Democratic Governance n/a 3.25 2.75 2.75 2.75 2.75 3.00 3.25 3.25 3.50 Judicial Framework and Independence 4.25 4.50 4.25 4.00 4.00 4.25 4.25 4.25 4.75 4.75 Corruption 5.25 5.25 5.25 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.00 5.25 Democracy Score 4.13 4.04 3.79 3.82 3.82 3.82 3.93 4.04 4.14 4.18 * Starting with the 2005 edition, Freedom House introduced separate analysis and ratings for national democratic governance and local democratic governance to provide readers with more detailed and nuanced analysis of these two important subjects.
    [Show full text]
  • Speakers Bios 11 October 2019
    Annual Conference co-organized by the Bank of Albania and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) RETHINKING THE FUTURE SIZE, STRUCTURE, OF BANKING OWNERSHIP, POLICIES in Emerging Europe AND INCENTIVES SPEAKER’S BIOS Gent SEJKO Governor Bank of Albania Mr. Gent Sejko is the Governor of the Bank of Albania and Chairman of its Supervisory Council, as of February 2015. He was voted in as Governor by the Parliament of the Republic of Albania on 5 February 2015, upon the Decree of the President of the Republic of Albania. Mr. Sejko graduated from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana, in 1991, in industrial economics. He earned a Master's degree in International Accounting and Financial Management (MAcc) from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1997, with his thesis on the "Role of banks and privatisation of banks in economies in transition". Mr. Sejko started his banking career in 1992 as Head of Credit Division of the National Commercial Bank. Then he worked as an Inspector at the Supervision Department of the Bank of Albania, until 1998, while pursuing his post-university studies. During 1998-2000, Mr. Sejko worked for Deloitte & Touche as senior auditor and consultant, responsible for the management of audit procedures. In the years 2001-2002, he worked for the American Bank of Albania as Head of Internal Audit and Compliance Division, and engaged in extending the branches network of the bank. During 2002-2004, Mr. Sejko returned to the Bank of Albania's Supervision Department as Head of Division for on-site examinations.
    [Show full text]
  • Albania Bulletin
    REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA COUNTRY ASSESSMENT OCTOBER 2002 COUNTRY INFORMATION & POLICY UNIT IMMIGRATION & NATIONALITY DIRECTORATE HOME OFFICE, UNITED KINGDOM Albania October 2002 CONTENTS 1 Scope of Document 1.1 - 1.4 2 Geography 2.1 - 2.2 3 Economy 3.1 - 3.2 4 History Communist Regime 4.1 - 4.3 First Multi-Party elections in 1991 4.4 - 4.6 Pyramid schemes and 1997 State of Emergency 4.7- 4.8 Parliamentary Elections of 1997 4.9 - 4.11 Assassination of Azem Hajdari 4.12 - 4.17 Kosovo Crisis 4.18 - 4.22 Local Government Elections of October 2000 4.23 - 4.36 Parliamentary Elections of June and July 2001 4.37 - 4.50 Internal Socialist Party divisions in 2002 4.51 - 4.61 5 State Structures The Constitution 5.1 - 5.2 Citizenship and Nationality 5.3 - 5.7 Political System 5.8 - 5.13 The Judiciary 5.14 - 5.24 Legal Rights/Detention 5.25 - 5.30 Death Penalty 5.31 Internal Security 5.32 - 5.40 Intelligence Services 5.41 Border Security and relations with neighbouring countries 5.42 - 5.49 Prison and Prison Conditions 5.50 - 5.52 Military Service 5.53 Conscientious Objection 5.54 - 5.55 Medical Services 5.56 - 5.59 Educational System 5.60 - 5.63 Albania October 2002 6 Human Rights Issues Overview 6.1 - 6.4 Torture 6.5 - 6.6 Extrajudicial Killings 6.7 - 6.8 Disappearances 6.9 Freedom of Speech and the Media 6.10 - 6.19 Journalists 6.20 - 6.22 Freedom of Religion 6.23 - 6.29 Freedom of Assembly and Association 6.30 - 6.32 Employment Rights 6.33 - 6.35 Trade unions and the right to strike 6.36 - 6.37 People Trafficking 6.38 - 6.43 Freedom of Movement 6.44
    [Show full text]
  • Croatia Summit 2010: South East Europe Facing Global Challenges
    Croatia Summit 2010: South East Europe Facing Global Challenges Dubrovnik, July 9-10, 2010 Programme Friday, 9 July 2010 17:00 Opening Session Opening remarks by: Jadranka Kosor, Prime Minister Ivo Josipović, President Moderator: Jadranka Kosor, Prime Minister Keynote speakers: François Fillon, Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Prime Minister Borut Pahor, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Prime Minister 19:15 Family Photo 20:00 Dinner Saturday, 10 July 2010 9:00 Plenary Session Economic Governance / Towards Prosperous Economies As the world slowly pulls out of the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression, questions regarding economic governance arise, as does the role of the G20 in leading and creating the future framework for prosperous economies. The world in the post financial crisis is of concern to us all and problems that lay ahead need to be solved by reaching mutual consensus. Moderator: Đuro Popijač, Minister of Economy, Labour and Entrepreneurship Panellists • Hashim Thaçi, Prime Minister • Lisa Raitt, Minister of Labour • Lord Wallace of Saltaire, House of Lords • Timmy Dooley, Vice Chairman of the Joint Committee on European Affairs • Luc Liebaut, Director for South Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Zoltán Áldott, President of the Management Board, INA • Hido Biščević, Secretary General, Regional Cooperation Council 10:00 Coffee Break 10:15 Plenary Session Global Security and Transatlantic Relations One of the goals of this summer’s conference will be to discuss Europe’s security architecture which is closely linked with Europe’s Common Security and Defence Policy post Lisbon Treaty. Discussions will tackle NATO’s new Strategic Concept which will shape the transatlantic community’s future and will define NATO’s key purpose and priorities.
    [Show full text]
  • A Fresh Start for Bilateral Relations Between Albania and Turkey?
    Copyright @ 2017 Australia and New Zealand Journal of European Studies http://www.eusanz.org/ANZJES/index.html Vol9 (1) ISSN 1837-2147 (Print) ISSN 1836-1803 (On-line) Perparim Xhaferi University of Sydney [email protected] The Post-Ottoman Era: A Fresh Start for Bilateral Relations between Albania and Turkey? Abstract This paper will explore bilateral relations between Turkey and Albania during the post-Ottoman period. The aim of the paper is to explore reasons for the revival and establishment of relations since the creation of both nation states at the beginning of the twentieth century. In the 21st century, Turkish foreign policy shifts in the Balkans, along with the rise of the Turkish economy and military capability are in line with Albanian needs politically and economically. More importantly, the Turkey’s repeated assurances to protect the Albanian people has been paramount for Albanians who live in the five surrounding states, that is Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. Introduction This paper will explore bilateral relations between Turkey and Albania since the creation of the Albanian state in 1912. I examine the economic, security and geopolitical context of Albanian/Turkish interactions since the end of the Cold War. While Albanian foreign policies since the creation of the Albanian state until WWII1, communist era 2 , and the post cold war period 3 have been scrutinised by various 1 O. Pearson, Albania in the Twentieth Century: A History, Volume I: Albania and King Zog: Independence, Republic and Monarchy, 1908-1939, The Centre for Albanian Studies in Association with I. B. Tauris, London, 2004; Albania in the Twentieth Century: A History, Volume II: Albania in Occupation and War: From Fascism to Communism, 1940-1945, The Centre for Albanian Studies in Association with I.
    [Show full text]