Albania entered a week of further political uncertainty Sunday after parliament failed in a third official attempt to elect a new president amid an ongoing boycott of the voting by the leftist opposition.

In voting conducted late Saturday, Bamir Topi, who was nominated by the governing conservative majority, gained 50 votes, far short of the 84 needed to win.

His leftist opponent Neritan Ceka gained 32 votes, while socialist Fatos Nano won 3 votes.

It was actually the fourth vote held by parliament, although it was registered as only the third official vote since one round of balloting was declared invalid due to a lack of a quorum.

The next parliamentary vote is set for Saturday, July 21.

Under the constitution, parliament may hold up to five rounds of voting for a president. Failing that, then early parliamentary elections must be called.

Current president Alfred Moisiu has been in office since July 2004.


DPA

Güncelleme Tarihi: 15 Temmuz 2007, 16:10