Introduction
Bajram Begaj (born 20 March 1967) is an Albanian politician and retired military officer, who is currently serving as the president of Albania since 24 July 2022. Having had a long career in the Albanian army, he served as the 26th Chief of General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces from July 2020 to June 2022.
Although politically independent, on 3 June 2022, Begaj was officially nominated by the governing Socialist Party as the candidate to the fourth round of the 2022 presidential election. Begaj is the fifth president in the history of Albania to have a military background, after Ahmet Zogu, Ramiz Alia, Alfred Moisiu and Bujar Nishani.
Early life and career
Begaj was born on 20 March 1967, in Rrogozhinë. He graduated from Tirana's Faculty 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 the United States, a Specialization Course in Medicine and a Health Course in Greece.
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 the Military Hospital, Director of the Health Inspectorate, etc. He was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Albanian Armed Forces in July 2020 and assumed office later that month.
Presidency (2022–present)
Begaj was elected by the parliament of Albania for the role of president on 4 June 2022, with 78 votes in favour, 4 against, and 1 abstention. 57 MPs from the opposition boycotted the vote, claiming the process of naming candidates was irregular. Begaj was sworn in on 24 July 2022.
Official visits
| Country | Date | Cities visited | Type of visit | Rf. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Kosovo
|
15–16 August 2022 | Pristina and Prekaz | Official visit | |
| 2 |  Slovenia
|
12 September 2022 | Kranj | Brdo-Brijuni Process | |
| 3 |  United Kingdom
|
19 September 2022 | London | State funeral of Elizabeth II | |
| 4 |  Vatican City
|
2 December 2022 | Vatican City | Official visit | |
| 5 | Kosovo
|
16 February 2023 | Pristina | Working visit | |
| 6 |  Belgium
|
7 March 2023 | Brussels | Working visit | |
| 7 |  Azerbaijan
|
12 March 2023 | Baku | Working visit | |
| 8 |  Croatia
|
27 April 2023 | Zagreb | Official visit | |
| 9 | United Kingdom
|
6 May 2023 | London | Coronation of Charles III and Camilla | |
| 10 |  Montenegro
|
20 May 2023 | Podgorica | Inauguration of President Jakov Milatović | |
| 11 |  Italy
|
26 May 2023 | Rome | Official visit | |
| 12 | Kosovo
|
10 June 2023 | Prizren | Working visit | |
| 13 |  North Macedonia
|
16 June 2023 | Lake Prespa | Working visit | |
| 14 | Montenegro
|
27 June 2023 | Podgorica | SEECP Summit | |
| 15 | Azerbaijan
|
7 July 2023 | Baku | Official visit | |
| 16 | Slovenia
|
13 July 2023 | Ljubljana | Official visit | |
| 17 |  Kazakhstan
|
7 September 2023 | Astana | Official visit | |
| 18 | North Macedonia
|
11 September 2023 | Skopje | Brdo-Brijuni Process | |
| 19 |  United States
|
18–23 September 2023 | New York City | UNGA Session | |
| 20 | Italy
|
26 September 2023 | Rome | State funeral of Giorgio Napolitano | |
| 21 | 21-23 October 2023 | Falconara Albanese, Pallagorio, Vena | Visit to the Arbëreshë people |
Personal life
Begaj is married to Armanda Begaj, with whom he has two sons, Dorian and Klajdi.