Albanian, 30, set to be Europe's youngest PM
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PANDELI MAJKO, Albania's 30-year-old Socialist Party secretary- general, is about to become Europe's youngest head of government.
Mr Majko, who took part in the 1990 student protests that helped to bring down the Stalinist regime, has never held government office. But as head of the Socialist parliamentary group since elections in June 1997, and the party's secretary-general, he has worked closely with the outgoing Prime Minister, Fatos Nano, and is a key, if low-profile, figure in the country's politics.
Nano resigned on Monday night after failing to get the backing of his five-party coalition for a cabinet reshuffle in the wake of an eruption of political violence two weeks ago.
The Socialists, whose coalition has a comfortable parliamentary majority, nominated Majko as their candidate to succeed Nano yesterday, and his appointment by President Rexhep Meidani appeared to be a formality.
Western diplomats believe the fact that Majko is untainted by past association with the Communist regime that ruled for four decades could enable him to improve Albania's highly polarised political climate.
His appointment should remove a factor that has poisoned Albanian politics since the Nano coalition took office 14 months ago: the personal animosity between the outgoing Prime Minister and the former president Sali Berisha.
"He's a technocrat, open,well-disposed towards the outside world," said a Western diplomat. "His English is quite good, and he doesn't have the baggage that people in their fifties and sixties have."
Another diplomat said: "Majko represents a new generation, the generation of students who toppled the Communist regime. He represents hope for Albania."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments