TIRANA, Albania – The Albanian Prime Minister on Monday expressed his determination to remove the president from his post, saying he has embarrassed the country.

Prime Minister Edi Rama has said President Ilir Meta should be removed from office. Rama’s Socialist Party accused Meta of violating the constitution by taking political sides in an election last month.

Last week, lawmakers formed an inquiry committee to decide to impeach Meta. Forty-nine Socialist lawmakers have claimed Meta failed in its constitutional duty to ensure national unity by siding with the opposition ahead of the April 25 elections.

The Socialists won 74 of the 140 seats in parliament in this vote, allowing them to form a cabinet themselves. Yet Meta’s impeachment requires a two-thirds majority in parliament, which the Socialists do not have, and the approval of the Albanian Constitutional Court.

Meta said he would not recognize the validity of the parliamentary committee. His press office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Rama’s comments.

During the election campaign, Meta accused Rama of leading a “kleptocratic regime” and of concentrating all legislative, administrative and judicial powers in his hands.

The Albanian presidency is largely ceremonial but exercises some authority over the judiciary and the armed forces. The role is also generally considered apolitical, but Meta has regularly clashed with Rama’s government. His presidential term is expected to end in July 2022.

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