Bamir Myrteza Topi (born April 24, 1957 in Tirana) is the President of the Republic of Albania, a post he took on July 24, 2007.
He graduated in biological studies and earned a PHD degree in the same field. He was the head of the Institute for Veterinary Studies in Tirana. He was elected to three mandates in the Assembly of Albania as a candidate of Democratic Party of Albania; he was first elected in 1996. In two terms Bamir Topi led the Parliamentary Group of Democratic Party in the Assembly. He has been elected vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, which is led by Sali Berisha. Topi served as Minister of Agriculture and Food from 1996 to 1997. He also holds the title of Honorary President of KF Tirana.
On 8 March 2007 Bamir Topi said that he would be the candidate of the ruling Democratic Party in that year's presidential election. Both the Christian Democratic and Republican parties said that they would probably support him.
On a vote held on 8 July, Topi won 75 votes in parliament; this was not enough to be elected president, as at least 84 votes are required. The opposition, led by the Socialist Party, boycotted the vote. The second round of voting for electing the president was held on July 10. The parliament still failed to elect a president; this time Topi received 74 votes. On July 14, another vote was held; this time Topi won only 50 votes, while Neritan Ceka of the Democratic Alliance Party won 32.
On 20 July, in the fourth round of voting, Bamir Topi was supported by some members of the opposition and won 85 votes, thus being elected as the President of the Republic of Albania for a 5 year term. He was sworn in on July 24.
Bamir Topi officially resigned his position as vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania and at the same time withdrew from his party. He is considered to be without a party affiliation. |