Bajram Begaj | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Begaj in 2025 | |
| President of Albania | |
| Assumed office 24 July 2022 | |
| Prime Minister | Edi Rama |
| Preceded by | Ilir Meta |
| 26th Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces | |
| In office 29 July 2020 – 4 June 2022 | |
| President | Ilir Meta |
| Minister | Olta Xhaçka Niko Peleshi |
| Preceded by | Bardhyl Kollçaku |
| Succeeded by | Arben Kingji |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1967-03-20)20 March 1967 (age 58) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Armanda Begaj |
| Children | 2 |
| Residence | Presidential Office Building, Tirana |
| Alma mater | Faculty of Medicine |
| Profession | Military officer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |   Albania |
| Branch/service | Albanian People's Army Armed Forces |
| Years of service | 1988 – 2022 |
| Rank | Major General |
Bajram Begaj (born 20 March 1967) is an Albanian politician and military officer serving aspresident of Albania since 2022. Prior to his election as president, he served as the 26thChief of General Staff of theAlbanian Armed Forces, from July 2020 to June 2022. On 3 June 2022, Begaj was officially nominated by thegoverningSocialist Party as the candidate to the fourth round of the2022 presidential election. He is the 2nd president in post-communist Albania to come from a predominantly military background.
Begaj was born on 20 March 1967, inRrogozhinë. He graduated from Tirana'sFaculty 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 theUnited States, a Specialization Course in Medicine and a Health Course inGreece.[1][2]
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 theMilitary Hospital, Director of the Health Inspectorate, etc. He was appointed Chief of the General Staff of theAlbanian Armed Forces in July 2020 and assumed office later that month.[3]
On 24 July 2022, Begaj was inaugurated as the incumbentpresident of Albania for a five-year term.[4][1][2] His election followed a series of parliamentary proceedings that commenced on 10 May , when theparliament of Albania initiated the process forpresidential selection.[5][6] Despite challenges in achieving consensus on a suitable candidate, the governingSocialist 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 theDemocratic Party (PD) abstained from participation in the voting process.[9] The tenure of Begaj has been marked by a commitment to enhancingAlbania's international relations and advancing Euro-Atlantic integration.[10] Since assuming office, he has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts, undertaking numerousinternational diplomatic visits to foster partnerships and elevate Albania's global standing.[11]
Begaj is married toArmanda Begaj, with whom he has two sons, Dorian and Klajdi.[12][13]
Italy – Honorary Citizen ofPallagorio[14] Italy – Honorary Citizen ofRossano[15]
Kosovo – Honorary Citizen ofDeçan[16][17] Kosovo – Honorary Citizen ofDrenas[18][19]| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Chief of General Staff of Albanian Armed Forces 2020–2022 | Succeeded by Arben Kingji |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | President of Albania 2022–present | Incumbent |
| Independent Albania (1912–14) | |
|---|---|
| Principality of Albania (1914–25) | |
| Albanian Republic (1925–28) | .svg) |
| Albanian Kingdom (1928–39) | .svg) |
| Italian Albania (1939–43) | .svg) |
| German occupation (1943–44) | |
| Communist Albania (1944–91) | |
| Republic of Albania (since 1991) | |
| Presidential elections | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
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