April 20, 2017 - 6:20 AM
TIRANA, Albania - The Albanian Parliament has failed to elect the country's new president for the second day in a row because no candidates were nominated.
The governing left-wing coalition didn't put up any candidates Thursday, saying it is seeking a broader consensus that would include the body's centre-right opposition. The ruling coalition didn't nominate a candidate on Wednesday, either.
The opposition has been boycotting Parliament since February while demanding a caretaker Cabinet to take the country to a June 18 parliamentary election. It alleges the sitting government could manipulate the election.
Candidates for Albania's 5-year presidency are proposed by a group of at least 20 lawmakers in the 140-seat Parliament. There are five rounds of voting to pick the new president, who has a largely ceremonial role and is limited to two terms.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017