Arben Xhaferi, the long-standing leader of the second biggest Albanian party in Macedonia, announced his resignation after 14 years on the post.

Below is an article published by Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN):

The vice-president of the Democratic Party of Albanians, DPA, Menduh Thaci, will be the only candidate at a party congress electing a new leader after Arben Xhaferi steps down, the party spokesman, Ruzdi Matoshi, said on Tuesday.

“There is no other candidate as leader. It is obvious only Thaci has the support from the party members and from Xhaferi himself,” Matoshi told Balkan Insight.

Matoshi said the DPA would elect its new president at a congress this weekend.

Arben Xhaferi, the long-standing leader of the second biggest Albanian party in Macedonia announced his resignation after 14 years on the post on Monday [25 June 2007].

He said his decision was final and proposed his deputy, Thaci, as his successor. “Thaci has an extraordinary sense for politics and great political experience, ”Xhaferi said.

Xhaferi’s resignation follows worsening health problems. Over the past year, the public has become increasingly accustomed to seeing Thaci acting as “de facto” party leader and taking over presidential responsibilities.

“I think we should follow the standards and ideas of the West, where the rotation of personnel and ideas is a regular practice,” Xhaferi said at a press conference.

Xhaferi will not withdraw completely from politics. He will become head of DPA’s General Assembly, a body due to be formed at the next party congress, which will assume a major role in party decision-making.