Albanian Bank Chief Wins Board’s Confidence

The Governor of the Central Bank of Albania Ardian Fullani won formal support from board members after requests put forward by a board member that he be fired for the theft from bank vaults discovered on 21 July.

While Ermelinda] Meksi demanded the dismissal of the Governor, “the other five members of the board did not accept her proposal”, the bank announced on Thursday after a four-hour meeting.

Fullani is facing public anger over the theft of 713 million leks worth 5.1 million euros, attributed to a rogue employee who has accepted responsibility and claims he acted alone.

Several protests had been organized demanding the dismissal of governor Fullani, but he seems to enjoy the confidence of mainstream political parties and the majority of the bank board. The board is the only institution with the right to dismiss the governor at will.

However, troubles seem far from over for the governor. A public hearing is expected in parliament in September while some activists have promised to continue their fight to force the governor to resign through street protests.

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