Gostivar, 15 February 2024 (MIA) – Alliance for Albanians (AA) leader and Gostivar Mayor, Arben Taravari, said Thursday he will run for President in the upcoming election. 

His bid comes at the proposal of the AA leadership and is backed by the opposition bloc of ethnic Albanians, united in the coalition European Alliance for Change. 

"It is a privilege to have the trust of so many factors. The time has come for the country to have an Albanian President, not technical but real," Taravari told a press conference in Gostivar, also attended by the leaders of the three parties within the European Alliance for Change, i.e. Izet Mexhiti of the Democratic Movement, Afrim Gashi of Alternativa and Bilal Kasami of the Besa Movement.

He said he will seek support from all political parties that believe he is the one who should lead the country in the next five years, as well as from non-governmental organizations, and above all, from the people. He will run by submitting 10,000 signatures, which he expects to collect in two days.

"The proposal is from a month ago, by friends, fellows, like-minded people. We sat down for talks with the opposition parties, we are now a joint Albanian opposition, and we will make this official on Saturday, and we came to the conclusion that it would be best if I run for President. I decided late last night to run for President," Taravari said, adding that he will continue to perform his duties as Mayor until he is elected President. 

Photo: MIA archive