12/06/2012 10:51
Albania elects new President
Albania's parliament elected its interior minister as the country's new president on Monday, despite a boycott in the vote by opposition lawmakers, the ABC reports.
Bujar Nishani's name was put forward after the ruling coalition's previous candidate, Artan Hoxha, pulled out for unclear reasons. The opposition complained it was not properly consulted on the candidates for the largely ceremonial role.
A former interior minister and member of the ruling Democratic Party, Nishani was elected with 73 votes out of 76 cast in a secret ballot in the 140-seat parliament, the Reuters says.
The main opposition Socialist Party did not vote.