List of Presidents of Albania: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Albania from 1946 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Albania, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Albania: Bajram Begaj (in office since 2022).

Presidents of Albania in order, with years in office

Omer Nishani

Served: 1946–1953

Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly, the nominal head of state.

Haxhi Lleshi

Served: 1953–1982

Chairman of the Presidium of the People's Assembly for 29 years.

Ramiz Alia

Served: 1982–1992

Communist leader who was chairman of the Presidium and became president in 1991.

Sali Berisha

Served: 1992–1997

First non-communist president; he resigned in 1997 after the pyramid-scheme collapse.

Rexhep Meidani

Served: 1997–2002

Physicist who served one term.

Alfred Moisiu

Served: 2002–2007

Former general and defence minister.

Bamir Topi

Served: 2007–2012

Veterinary scientist and Democratic Party politician.

Bujar Nishani

Served: 2012–2017

Former interior minister.

Ilir Meta

Served: 2017–2022

Former prime minister and speaker of parliament.

Bajram Begaj

Served: 2022–present

Former chief of the general staff, elected by parliament in June 2022.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Albania

Who is the current president of Albania?

The current president of Albania is Bajram Begaj, in office since 2022.

Who were the previous presidents of Albania?

The presidents and heads of state of Albania listed on this page, in order, are: Omer Nishani, Haxhi Lleshi, Ramiz Alia, Sali Berisha, Rexhep Meidani, Alfred Moisiu, Bamir Topi, Bujar Nishani, Ilir Meta, Bajram Begaj.

Who was the first president of Albania?

Omer Nishani was the first president of Albania, in office 1946–1953.

Sources: Wikipedia, President of Albania and List of heads of state of Albania; Albanian Daily News, Exit News and Reuters reports (checked Nov 2026). Heads of state of the People's Republic and since 1991; communist-era chairmen of the Presidium of the People's Assembly are listed with that explained.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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