Albania fails a second time to elect a president

June 04, 2012

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania's parliament has failed for a second time to elect a new president, after leaders of the two main political parties could not agree on a candidate.

Lawmakers have a maximum five attempts to choose a successor for Bamir Topi, whose five-year term expires July 24. If they fail, early national elections must be held within 45 days. A third session is likely expected later this week.

The parliament again did not hold a vote Monday after Prime Minister Sali Berisha of the governing Democratic Party and the main opposition Socialist Party leader, Edi Rama, held unsuccessful talks the previous evening.

Topi is not running for a second term and Democratic nominee Xhezair Zaganjori, a Constitutional Court judge, has been rejected by the main opposition Socialists.