New head of state sets reforms in the justice system, EU integration as top priorities for his five years in office
TIRANA, July 24 – Albania’s new President Bujar Nishani was sworn in Tuesday pledging to help the country’s institutions in their reforms, especially that of the judiciary, thus helping the country’s integration into the European Union.
The 45-year-old replaced President Bamir Topi for a five-year term, during which the tiny Balkan country has promised to continue political reforms as part of the EU integration process.
Nishani was elected by parliament last month, despite a refusal to take part by the main opposition Socialist party which had demanded a more consensual candidate. Though largely a ceremonial post, the president has some authority over the country’s judiciary and armed forces.
Considered a close ally of conservative Prime Minister Sali Berisha, Nishani becomes Albania’s sixth president since the fall of Communism in 1990.
Nishani said that his work would focus on the justice system, the reform of the legal system which remains a key factor in Albania’s integration in the European Union.
Brussels has repeatedly criticized “shortcomings” of the Albanian legal system in terms of “independence, transparency and efficiency.”
Nishani said that there is a deep lack of trust of the people into the justice system as the majority of Albanians see the justice system as one of the most corrupt sectors in society.
Though largely a ceremonial post, Albania’s president has powers on the justice system (head of the High Council of Justice) and commander of the armed forces. In his function he appoints judges and prosecutors but also, upon nomination by the prime minister, the head of the secret service.
The opposition Socialists boycotted the vote and accused Prime Minister Sali Berisha of trying to strengthen his grip on the legal system and the secret service by pushing through Nishani, his former ally.
But the former justice minister, who left Berisha’s party after he was elected president, vowed Tuesday that he would be an impartial head of state.
“I will be completely independent of any influence from whatever political force,” he insisted, adding that his doors would be open for the majority and the opposition.
Albania has been mired in political crisis with the opposition Socialists accusing Berisha’s Democrats of electoral fraud after legislative polls in June 2009.
Nishani was optimistic that Tirana would get the candidate status from the European Union this fall.
Tirana has applied for EU candidacy status but has already been turned down twice by Brussels, which stressed that the ongoing political crisis is impeding much needed reforms.
“I am optimistic that Albania will succeed in getting candidacy status this autumn.”
Last week the Albanian parliament took a first small step in that direction when the ruling coalition and the opposition, after pressure from Brussels, adopted a new electoral law.
The international community hopes it will end the systematic challenging of results that have haunted nearly every Albanian election since the fall of communism in the 1990s.
Albania applied for EU membership in 2009 but in seeking official candidate status has twice been turned down by Brussels נfor failing to adequately strengthen and reform the parliamentary and other democratic institutions.
“A European Albania is our citizens’ expectation,” Nishani said after his swearing in ceremony. “A European Albania is the road ahead and our final destination.”
Nishani was elected after days of deadlocked negotiations between Albanian political parties that failed to produce any consensus on a candidate.
He had twice been elected to parliament with the conservative Democrats and had previously served as justice and interior minister. He graduated from a military academy in Albania and also studied in the United States and Albania, earning a postgraduate degree in European Studies.
Nishani also said that during his term he would continue to strengthen Tirana’s moderate role in the Balkans and hailed the progress of the Albanian communities in Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and also southern Serbia in the Presevo Valley.
The handover ceremony was held at his main offices and not at the Palace of Brigades as before.
Though not accepted formally, it is believed that the move was made for the physical difficulties Nishani has with the steps following his surgery some years ago. As a result one of his legs and a hand have not recuperated fully, though they do not hamper hid daily normal work.
Some 600 guests were invited, starting from the government ministers, lawmakers, diplomats, and also representatives of the civil society and more.
Opposition Socialist and their leader Edi Rama were also present.
Not surprisingly outgoing President Bamir Topi was silently moved away and held no speech. When he left Topi also shook hands only with Nishani and his spouse, ‘forgetting’ Parliament Speaker Jozefina Topalli and Berisha on the other side, only a few meters away.
Following that it was learnt that he had dinner with a group of the New Democratic Spirit Party representatives, in which it is believed he will take the post of the leader.
