Albanian parliament fails to elect new president

Albania's parliament has failed to elect the country's new president, after the main two parties could not agree on a joint candidate. Lawmakers have a maximum five sessions to choose a successor for Bamir Topi, whose five-year term expires on July 24. If they fail, early national elections must be held within 45 days. The governing Democratic Party-led coalition's nominee, Xhezair Zaganjori, a Constitutional Court judge, was rejected by the main opposition Socialists Wednesday. Parliament did not hold a vote, as without the Socialists' backing it will be impossible to elect a candidate until the fourth round, when a one-vote majority is required. A second session is expected within the week. The governing coalition controls 74 of parliament's 140 seats. Topi is not seeking re-election.