Bajram Begaj Explained

Bajram Begaj (born 20 March 1967) is an Albanian politician and military officer who is the incumbent president of Albania since July 2022. Having had a long career in the Albanian army, he served as the 26th Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces from July 2020 to June 2022. Politically independent, on 3 June 2022, Begaj was officially nominated by the governing Socialist Party as the candidate to the fourth round of the 2022 presidential election.

Life and career

1967–2021: Early life and military

Begaj was born on 20 March 1967, in Rrogozhinë. He graduated from Tirana's Faculty of Medicine in 1989 and became an active medical officer in 1998. Having completed his professional doctorate degree, he holds the title "Associate Professor" in Medicine.

During his 31-year military career, Begaj has taken part in numerous training seminars and completed courses in Security and Defense, the Advanced Postgraduate School of Medicine, a Postgraduate Specialization in Gastrohepatology, a Hospital Management Course and Strategic Medical Leadership Course in the United States, a Specialization Course in Medicine and a Health Course in Greece.

Begaj previously served as the Commander of the Doctrine and Training Command in the Albanian Armed Forces. He held various other posts including: Chief of the Military Medical Unit and Deputy Military Director of SUT, Director of the Military Hospital, Director of the Health Inspectorate, etc. He was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces in July 2020 and assumed office later that month.^[1]

2022–present: Presidency

See also: 2022 Albanian presidential election.

On 24 July 2022, Begaj was inaugurated as the incumbent president of Albania for a five-year term.^{[2] [3] [4]} 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

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

References

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Notes and References

1. Web site: U dekretua gjeneral major nga presidenti Meta, kush është komandanti Bajram Bega? . BalkanWeb . 3 July 2020.
2. Web site: Presidenca . Fjala e Presidentit të Republikës, Sh. T. Z. Bajram Begaj gjatë ceremonisë së betimit në Kuvendin e Shqipërisë . 25 October 2023 . https://archive.today/20231025163853/https://president.al/fjala-e-presidentit-te-republikes-sh-t-z-bajram-begaj-gjate-ceremonise-se-betimit-ne-kuvendin-e-shqiperise/ . 25 October 2023 . sq . 24 July 2022 . live.
3. Web site: Bajram Begaj, Chief of Defence of . NATO.
4. Web site: Major-General-Bajram-Begaj-appointed-as-the-new-Chief-of-the-General-Staff-of-the-Albanian-Armed-Forces. mod.gov.al. 2021-07-04.
5. Web site: Dosja . Presidenti/ Më 16 maj raundi i parë, 5 ditë për kandidaturat. Pd: E keni zgjedhur emrin . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241012133041/https://dosja.al/zgjedhja-e-presidentit-te-ri-mblidhet-sot-konferenca-e-kryetareve . 12 October 2024 . sq . 10 May 2022 . live.
6. Web site: Exit . Lack of Candidates Thwarts Vote on President in Albanian Parliament . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241012133055/https://exit.al/en/albanian-parliament-fails-to-hold-first-round-of-presidential-elections/ . 12 October 2024 . 16 May 2022 . live.
7. Web site: Cuka . Fatjon . Anadolu Agency (AA) . Bajram Begaj propozohet si kandidat për postin e Presidentit të Shqipërisë . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241012133832/https://www.aa.com.tr/sq/ballkani/bajram-begaj-propozohet-si-kandidat-p%C3%ABr-postin-e-presidentit-t%C3%AB-shqip%C3%ABris%C3%AB/2605215 . 12 October 2024 . sq . 3 June 2022 . live.
8. Web site: Ruci . Ani . Deutsche Welle (DW) . Shqipëri: PS propozon një gjeneral për President . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241012133847/https://www.dw.com/sq/shqip%C3%ABri-ps-propozon-nj%C3%AB-gjeneral-p%C3%ABr-president/a-62031249 . 12 October 2024 . sq . 3 June 2022 . live.
9. Web site: Öztürk . Mustafa Talha . Anadolu Agency (AA) . Albanian parliament elects Bajram Begaj new president . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241012134014/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/albanian-parliament-elects-bajram-begaj-new-president/2605897 . 12 October 2024 . Belgrade . 5 June 2022 . live.
10. Web site: . President Bajram Begaj takes office . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241011100335/https://ftp.aiis-albania.org/?p=152583 . 11 October 2024 . 25 July 2022 . live.
11. Web site: Semini . Llazar . Associated Press (AP) . Albania's newly sworn-in president urges political unity . 11 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241011100346/https://apnews.com/article/albania-government-and-politics-be946643a4d4483b2584e099e1e09c29 . 11 October 2024 . 24 July 2022 . live.
12. Web site: Nga zyrat e KLSH-së drejt titullit Zonjë e Parë, njihuni me Armanda Begajn, gruan e presidentit. www.dosja.al. 5 June 2022. 10 April 2023. sq.
13. Web site: Pasuritë milionëshe të presidentit të ri, Bajram Begaj. www.kumtari.al. 20 June 2022. 10 April 2023. sq.
14. Web site: . Presidenti Begaj 'Qytetar Nderi' i arbëreshëve të Kalabrisë . 18 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240524174629/https://president.al/presidenti-begaj-qytetar-nderi-i-arberesheve-te-kalabrise/ . 24 May 2024 . sq . 3 May 2024 . live.
15. Web site: Presidenca . Presidenti Begaj shpallet 'Qytetar Nderi' nga Komuna e Roshanos . 18 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240419101541/https://president.al/presidenti-begaj-shpallet-qytetar-nderi-nga-komuna-e-roshanos/ . 19 April 2024 . sq . 28 May 2023 . live.
16. Web site: Ibrahimi . Majlinda . . Presidenti Begaj merr titullin 'Qytetar Nderi' në Deçan . 18 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241018100331/https://www.koha.net/lajmet-e-mbremjes-ktv/presidenti-begaj-merr-titullin-qytetar-nderi-ne-decan . 18 October 2024 . sq . 23 June 2024 . live.
17. Web site: . Presidenti i Republikës së Shqipërisë, Sh.T.Z. Bajram Begaj u dekorua me titullin 'Qytetar Nderi' në Deçan . 18 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241018102651/https://kk.rks-gov.net/decan/news/presidenti-i-republikes-se-shqiperise-sh-t-z-bajram-begaj-u-dekorua-me-titullin-qytetar-nderi-ne-decan/ . 18 October 2024 . sq . 24 June 2024 . live.
18. Web site: Zëri . Pas Deçanit, Begaj do të shpallet ' Qytetar nderi' edhe në Drenas . 18 October 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240624072118/https://www.zeri.info/aktuale/541291/pas-decanit-begaj-do-te-shpallet-qytetar-nderi-edhe-ne-drenas/ . 24 June 2024 . sq . 24 June 2024 . live.
19. Web site: . Vendim për shpalljen e SH. T. Z. Prof. Dr. Bajram Begaj si 'Qytetar Nderi' i Komunës së Drenasit. . 18 October 2024 . https://archive.today/20241018102213/https://kk.rks-gov.net/podujeve/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/11/Bajram-Begaj.pdf . 18 October 2024 . Drenas . sq . 27 October 2022 . live.