18 Facts About Bamir Topi

In September 2012, Bamir Topi became the leader of the New Democratic Spirit party.

Bamir Myrteza Topi was born in Tirana, Albania on the 24th of April 1957 to Riza Topi and Haxhire Karapici.

Bamir Topi comes from a Tirana family from his father's and mother's side.

Bamir Topi's family are of the Muslim faith in origin.

Bamir Topi has mentioned how his great grandfather owned the Karapici mosque which was located in Skanderbeg Square, Tirana before it was demolished in 1929.

Bamir Topi graduated from the Agricultural University of Tirana in veterinary studies and earned a PhD degree in the same field.

Alongside his work as Scientific Researcher, Bamir Topi has carried out a dense academic activity in preparing the educational curricula of the Toxicology and Pharmacology subjects for the students and postgraduates of the Veterinary Medicine Faculty.

Bamir Topi was first elected as a member of the Albanian Parliament in 1996 and was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Food where he served until 1997.

Bamir Topi was elected to three mandates in the Assembly of Albania as a candidate of Democratic Party of Albania.

In two terms, Bamir Topi led the Parliamentary Group of the Democratic Party in the Assembly.

Bamir Topi has been elected vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania, which is led by Sali Berisha.

Bamir Topi has been distinguished and widely hailed as a politician of a moderated profile, as very active in resolving the crisis between the ruling majority and opposition and as a protagonist of political agreements and various parliamentary initiatives.

On 8 March 2007, Bamir Topi said that he would be the candidate of the ruling Democratic Party in the 2007 presidential election.

The parliament again failed to elect a president, with Bamir Topi receiving 74 votes.

Bamir Topi won only 50 votes, while Neritan Ceka of the Democratic Alliance Party won 32.

Bamir Topi officially resigned his position as vice-chairman of the Democratic Party of Albania and at the same time withdrew from his party.

Bamir Topi pointed out the need for a sovereign state of Kosovo before the European Council and other international instances.

Bamir Topi was proclaimed an honorary citizen of the capital Pristina.