Vladimir Kristo nominated to lead Constitutional Court

TIRANA, May 23 – Vladimir Kristo was nominated to head the Constitutional Court by the president. This follows a recent controversy as the governing majority accused President Alfred Moisiu of violating the constitution by allowing the judicial post to remain empty for some days. The governing Democrats claim Moisiu purposely waited to avoid having to nominate Gjergji Sauli as head of the court. Moisiu said that he was told last Thursday that Sauli’s mandate had expired a day earlier. As expected, the governing majority welcomed the news as Kristo, 60, has been justice deputy minister in their executives, a move which the opposition suspected could be politically exploited by them. The presidential decree is to be passed by the parliament as well, very likely next Monday.