Bamir Topi is an Albanian politician who was the country’s president from 2007 until 2012. He is also one of the country’s most illustrious academics, having held key positions in veterinary research. Bamir Topi earned a degree in veterinary sciences from the prestigious University of Tirana and then went on to Italy to pursue postgraduate studies in molecular biology. He became one of Albania’s most well-known scientific researchers and lecturers. He decided to enter politics in 1996 and has shown to be a very successful politician since then. He has established himself as a pillar of the Democratic Party of Albania over the years, rising to prominence within the party in a short amount of time. He became the president’s right-hand man, and he not only became the party’s vice president, but also its top troubleshooter, negotiating harsh political bargains with both opponents and allies. In 2007, he was elected President of Albania and served for the entire term.
Childhood and Adolescence
Bamir Myrteza Topi was born in Tirana, Albania, on April 24, 1957. Although little is known about Bamir Topi’s parents, he was born into a Muslim family. There isn’t a lot of information about his childhood years. He was a student at the University of Tirana, where he majored in veterinary medicine. He eventually went on to get his doctorate in the field.
In 1984, Bamir Topi began working at the Institute of Veterinary Scientific Research as a research scholar. He moved to Italy in 1987 to pursue postgraduate studies in molecular biology. In 1990, he finished his post-graduate studies and returned to Albania.
Bamir Topi was appointed Director of the Food Safety and Veterinary Institute upon his return to Albania. He served at the institute until 1995, and during that period he became well-known as a toxicology and pharmacology lecturer.
A Career of Bamir Topi
Bamir Topi entered politics in 1996, and as a member of the Democratic Party of Albania, he was elected to the Albanian parliament. His party had formed the government at the time, and he became the new government’s Minister of Agriculture and Food. He held that position until 1997.
Bamir Topi ascended fast through the ranks of the Democratic Party of Albania, eventually becoming the party’s leader in the Albanian Parliament in 2001. Bamir Topi became the Democratic Party of Albania’s deputy president after Genc Pollo quit the party, and he became close to the party’s president, Sali Berisha. Topi was particularly prominent during the 2001 elections since he served as the lead arbitrator in discussions over a common candidate during the election process.
The Democratic Party of Albania was re-elected in 2005, and Bamir Topi once again found himself in a position of authority within the party. Bamir Topi, with the assistance of Sali Berisha, announced himself as the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Albania two years later. After four rounds of voting, Bamir Topi was elected President of Albania after none of the contenders received the requisite 84 votes.
Bamir Topi handed up his vice presidency of the Democratic Party of Albania after becoming President of Albania on July 24, 2007, and during his tenure, he became an ardent proponent of a separate state for Kosovo. His most important presidential campaign, however, was for Albania’s admission to NATO and the European Union.
Major Projects of Bamir Topi
The drive to admit Albania to the European Union and NATO has been Bamir Topi’s most important contribution as President.
Achievements & Awards
In 2009, Bamir Topi received the Knight Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav. It is the highest honor the Croatian government can confer.
Personal History and Legacy
In 1986, Bamir Topi married Teuta Mema. Nada and Etida, the couple’s two daughters, are the couple’s only offspring.
KF Tirana, a football club headquartered in Bamir Topic’s hometown of Tirana, has designated him Honorary President.
Estimated Net Worth
Bamir Topi is one of the wealthiest politicians and one of the most well-known. Bamir Topi’s net worth is estimated to be $1.5 million, according to Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.