Rexhep Meidani

Infobox_President | name=Rexhep Meidani


nationality=Albanian
order=5th President of Albania
term_start=July 24, 1997
term_end=July 24, 2002
predecessor=Sali Berisha
successor=Alfred Moisiu
birth_date=Birth date and age|1944|8|17|mf=y
birth_place=Tirana, Albania
death_date=
death_place=
spouse=Lydra Meidani
party= None (resigned from Socialist Party on taking office)
profession= Professor Doctor
religion = Atheist

Audio|Rexhep Meidani.ogg|Rexhep Qemal Meidani (born on August 17, 1944, in Tirana, Albania) is an Albanian politician. He graduated from the University of Tirana (1966), Faculty of Natural Sciences, Branch Physics, as well as successfully accomplished the postgraduate studies in the University of Caen (France) (1974). With regard to the professional area, Mr. Meidani worked as professor, chair of the department and later as the dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences (1966 - 1996). During this time span, Mr. Meidani published a number of studies, books and articles inside and outside of Albania. Mr. Meidani holds the scientific title Professor Doctor. Along with Eqrem Cabej and Nelson Cabej, Mr. Meidani has been considered as one of the leading academics in the country.

His political career began in the 1990s. He was the chair of the Central Election Commission in the first multiparty elections in 1991 and member of the Presidential Council (1991). During 1992–1996 he was engaged in the civil society by being also chair of the Board of the Albanian Center of Human Rights (1994 - 1996). In 1996 he joined the Socialist Party and was elected its Secretary General (1996 - 1997).

In the anticipated parliamentary elections of June 1997, Mr. Meidani was elected member of the parliament in the Albanian Assembly. After the elections, won by the left coalition and headed by the Socialist Party, on July 24, 1997, with the proposal of the SP, the Albanian Assembly elected Mr. Meidani, President of the Republic.

Meidani was succeeded in the presidency by Alfred Moisiu in 2002.

In the 2005 Socialist Party Leadership Convention which was to designate a successor to Fatos Nano, he was defeated by the current PS chairman Edi Rama.

Member of the Club of Madrid [http://www.clubmadrid.org] . [en [http://www.clubmadrid.org The Club of Madrid is an independent organization dedicated to strengthening democracy around the world by drawing on the unique experience and resources of its Members – 66 democratic former heads of state and government.]

ee also

*History of Albania
*List of Presidents of Albania

References