Ilir Meta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ilir Meta
Meta in 2018
President of Albania
In office 24 July 2017 – 24 July 2022
Prime Minister	Edi Rama
Preceded by	Bujar Nishani
Succeeded by	Bajram Begaj
Prime Minister of Albania
In office 29 October 1999 – 29 January 2002
President	Rexhep Meidani
Preceded by	Pandeli Majko
Succeeded by	Pandeli Majko
Speaker of the Parliament of Albania
In office 10 September 2013 – 24 July 2017
Preceded by	Jozefina Topalli
Succeeded by	Valentina Leskaj (Acting)
47th Minister of Foreign Affairs
In office 17 September 2009 – 17 September 2010
Prime Minister	Sali Berisha
Preceded by	Lulzim Basha
Succeeded by	Edmond Haxhinasto
In office 31 July 2002 – 18 July 2003
Prime Minister	Fatos Nano
Preceded by	Arta Dade
Succeeded by	Luan Hajdaraga (Acting)
Personal details
Born	Ilir Rexhep Meta (1969-03-24) 24 March 1969 (age 56) Çorovodë, Skrapar, PR Albania
Political party	Freedom Party (2022–ongoing)
Other political affiliations	Independent (2017–2022) Socialist Movement for Integration (2004–2017) Socialist Party (1990–2004)
Spouse	Monika Kryemadhi ​ ​ (m. 1998; div. 2024)​
Children	3
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Ilir Rexhep Meta (born March 24, 1969) is an Albanian politician. He served as the President of Albania from 2017 to 2022.

Before becoming president, Meta held several important roles. He was the Prime Minister of Albania from 1999 to 2002. He also served as the Speaker of the Parliament of Albania from 2013 to 2017. Other positions he held include Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs. He also founded a political party called the Socialist Movement for Integration in 2004.

On April 28, 2017, Ilir Meta was elected President of Albania. He received 87 votes from the 140 Members of Parliament. In June 2021, the Albanian parliament voted to remove him from office. However, in February 2022, the Constitutional Court of Albania decided that the accusations against him did not break the country's laws.

Life and Political Journey

Early Life and First Steps in Politics

Ilir Meta was born in Çepan, a town in Skrapar, Albania. He studied at the University of Tirana, focusing on economics and politics. He also continued his studies after graduating.

Meta became involved in politics in 1990. This was when Albania was moving away from one-party rule. He was active in student movements that helped bring about political changes. Since 1992, he has been elected as a Member of Parliament in every election. He also worked on several important parliamentary committees. From 1996 to 1997, he was the Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee.

From October 1998 to October 1999, Meta served as Deputy Prime Minister. He was also the Minister of Coordination. Before that, he was a State Secretary for European Integration.

Becoming Prime Minister

Ilir Meta became Prime Minister of Albania on October 29, 1999. He was 30 years old at the time. This made him one of the youngest prime ministers in Albania's history. After the 2001 election, he continued as Prime Minister.

However, in January 2002, Meta resigned from his position. This was due to disagreements within his political party. During his time as Prime Minister, Albania started important reforms. The country also began the process of joining the European Union.

Roles as Deputy Prime Minister and Speaker

In the 2009 election, Meta's party, the Socialist Movement for Integration (LSI), won four seats in Parliament. His party played a key role in forming the new government. In September 2009, the LSI joined a government with the Democratic Party.

With this new government, Meta became the Deputy Prime Minister of Albania. He also served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He strongly supported allowing Albanian citizens to travel without a visa to the Schengen Area. This goal was achieved in 2010. He continues to support Albania's integration into Europe.

In 2011, Meta also served as the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Energy. This was still part of the government led by the Democratic Party.

Before the 2013 elections, Meta's party changed its alliance. They left the Democratic Party and joined the Socialist Party. The Socialist Party and its allies won the 2013 elections. On September 10, 2013, Parliament elected Ilir Meta as the Chairman of Parliament. He received 91 votes.

Serving as President

On April 28, 2017, Ilir Meta was elected President of the Republic of Albania. He officially took office on July 24, 2017. During the ceremony, his children were with him. His wife, Monika Kryemadhi, chose not to be the First Lady. This was because she was actively involved in politics as the leader of the party her husband founded. Their daughter, Era Meta, served as the de facto First Lady.

In November 2019, a strong earthquake hit the Durrës region of Albania. It caused many deaths and injuries. In January 2020, President Meta met with soldiers from Israel. He thanked them for their help after the earthquake. He also gave them the Golden Medal of the Eagle, a special Albanian award.

During his time as president, Meta focused on Albania's journey to join the European Union. He also worked on global challenges affecting Albania. He emphasized Albania's desire to strengthen its partnerships with other countries. This included working together on security and with NATO.

Personal Life

Ilir Meta follows Bektashism, a branch of Islam. He speaks Albanian, English, and Italian fluently. He is a big fan of the Scottish football club Celtic FC. In July 2020, he started the first Celtic Supporters Club in Albania.

Meta was married to Monika Kryemadhi. They divorced in June 2024. They have two daughters and one son.

Awards and Recognition

Ilir Meta has received several honors:

•  Croatia:
  • Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav (October 29, 2019)
•  Monaco:
  • Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles (October 16, 2019)

In March 2012, Meta received an award called "Most Positive Personality for 2010 in Foreign Policy." This award was given by an international institute in Slovenia. The former President of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, presented the award to him.

Meta has also been given the title "Honorary Citizen" by several cities and regions in Albania.

See also

In Spanish: Ilir Meta para niños