Rexhep Meidani
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Rexhep Qemal Meidani (listen (help·info); born on 17 August 1944) is an Albanian physics professor, diplomat and politician. Meidani was the president of Albania from 1997 to 2002, and the second to be elected after the first multi-party elections in 1991.[1][2][3]
Rexhep Meidani | |
|---|---|
Meidani in 2001 | |
| President of Albania | |
| In office 24 July 1997 – 24 July 2002 | |
| Prime Minister | Fatos Nano Pandeli Majko Ilir Meta Pandeli Majko |
| Preceded by | Sali Berisha |
| Succeeded by | Alfred Moisiu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 17 August 1944 Tirana, Albanian Kingdom (now Albania) |
| Political party | Socialist Party |
| Spouse | Lidra Karagjozi |
| Children | 2 (Adea, Denion) |
| Profession | Physicist |
| Signature | |
Early life, education and career Edit
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). Meidani holds PhDs from University of Paris XI and the University of Tirana. With regard to the professional area, Meidani held various positions at the University of Tirana between (1966–1996) including: professor, chair of the department and later as the dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences.[4] During this time span, Meidani published a number of studies, books and articles inside and outside of Albania. Along with Eqrem Cabej and Nelson Cabej, Meidani has been considered 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, 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 24 July 1997, with the proposal of the SP, the Albanian Assembly elected Meidani the President of Albania. Meidani served as the third President until 2002, with Petrit Ago as his counselor.
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. Meidani is currently a member of the Club of Madrid.[4]
Honours Edit
- Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of the Star of Romania (1999)
- Knight Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav ("For outstanding contribution to the promotion of friendship and development co-operation between the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Albania." – April 4, 2001)
- Honorary Degree Recipient from The American University of Rome[5]
See also Edit
References Edit
- ^ Meidani, Rexhep. . Albanian Presidency. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2013-01-25.
- ^ Rexhep Meidani (in French). Éditions Larousse. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ "Once a physicist: Rexhep Meidani". Physics World. 2015-01-28. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ a b "Rexhep Meidani President of the Republic of Albania, club madrid member". Club de Madrid. Retrieved 2021-10-05.
- ^ "Search". The American University of Rome. Retrieved 2019-10-22.