Ilir Meta took the oath today as President of Albania, one month after
the elections in which his party didn’t achieve a result that could make
him put conditions to Edi Rama for his next government.
Meta gave his first interview as President for “Top Story”, one hour after the oath ceremony. When asked by host Sokol Balla if he would be able to stand above the parties, and if he would keep his electoral promise to not decree people who SMI accuses of stealing elections, Meta replied that it is a Constitutional obligation for him to cooperate not only with Rama, but aloso with others.
Sokol Balla: You have said once that being President is a culminating moment for every person’s life. You’ve said that you come from a common family. What does this mean to you?
Ilir Meta: I underlined today as well that I dedicate my post, same as other posts, to democracy and efforts of the Albanian citizens for democracy. Naturally, also to my relentless efforts for democracy.
After being voted President, Ilir Meta resigned as leader of the party that he founded and that has played an kingmaker role in past elections. He was replaced by his wife, Monika Kryemadhi, who has also become Albania’s First Lady. But in today’s transition ceremony, Meta was accompanied by his daughter and not by his wife.
Sokol Balla: We commented the process of handing over the presidency, during the ceremony. We noted that for the first time, the newly appointed President was not with his wife beside him. Will your wife be the First Lady of Albania?
Ilir Meta: The person in question doesn’t feel very comfortable in that line. Monika made her public choice. When I was voted President, she was voted vice leader of the SMI, to be an active politician. I believe that her position and my presence today are a clear message that no one can have political profits from my presidency.
When asked about voices that his decision to resign from the post as leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration was not good for the party’s survival, Meta said that now he is completely focused on his new duty and responsibility, that of being President of Albania. As for the SMI, the statute of his party is clear, for Ilir Meta. He explains that even if he wasn’t elected President, he couldn’t continue as leader for more than two terms, and he would have resigned anyway.
Sokol Balla: “How did you relations with the ruling coalition partners take a negative course so quickly?
Ilir Meat: “Those relations belong to the past. Now I am open for new institutional relations, for cooperation without prejudice.
Sokol Balla: “I heard the Prime Minister called you and you didn’t answer. How are you going to manage this cold relation?
Ilir Meta: I just met with him.
Sokol Balla: But you were shaking his hand and avoiding his eyes, looking down at his tennis shoes.
Ilir Meta: Tennis shoes are something normal. It’s not the first time that he wears them. I shook the Prime Minister’s hand, as a President.
Sokol Balla: For years, the relation between the President and the Prime Minister has had some kind of curse. It has been a problem for them getting along. Will you change this?
Ilir Meta: When I was Prime Minister, I had an excellent relation with then President Rexhep Mejdani. Secondly, I cooperate with anyone. Of course, I will cooperate with Prime Minister Rama, with any government and any party in opposition. It’s my main duty, to work for the country’s best interest.
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