Former Albanian President Bamir Topi stepped down today from his post as chairman of Fryma e Re Democratike (FRD), the New Democratic Spirit Party.

A former Democratic Party top official, Topi and PD went separate ways after differences with former Premier Sali Berisha. In Tirana’s mayoral elections in 2011, then-President Topi put his ballot paper in the wrong box and after it was opened – being the only ballot paper in the box for the candidate – it was understood he had voted against PD candidate and eventual winner of the elections Lulzim Basha.

After separating ways with PD, Topi founded Fryma, however he was seen on Wednesday in the PD headquarters to meet Basha. They reached an agreement to run together within the opposition coalition in the April 25 elections. However, just a few hours after reaching the agreement, Topi resigned. The former President of Albania did not mention any reasons for his decision in the declaration of his irrevocable resignation.

Meanwhile, it is understood that despite the agreement was reached after Topi’s negotiations with Basha, the deal was signed by FRD’s emissary Sali Shehu. The latter refused to sign on the spot, asking for time to review it, and returned to put his signature just half an hour before midnight, which was the deadline of registering pre-electoral coalitions in the Centra Electoral Commision.