The Assembly elected yesterday evening, with 85 votes in favor, 3 against and no abstentions, Endrit Shabani as the People's Advocate for a 5-year mandate.

In a post on social media, Shabani wrote that he was surprised by the opposition MPs, who initially supported him, but then decided to abandon him.

"However, with regret for the incomprehensible line of their party, I want to sincerely thank the 35 opposition MPs, who with their signatures gave me the opportunity to run for this constitutional position. I assure them that I will never give them reason to think that they made a mistake in supporting me at the beginning or that they did the right thing in not voting for me at the end," he wrote.

Full reaction: 

Last night, I received a vote of confidence for my candidacy as Ombudsman that was both important and personally touching, as well as surprising in terms of the dynamics of the development in the Assembly hall.

I am still surprised by the opposition MPs, who initially encouraged me kindly, gave me their signatures according to the law, and wished me success, but then decided to abandon my candidacy as if it were not theirs.

On the other hand, the majority MPs initially refused to give me even a signature, although some of them are my friends, with the argument that the Socialist Party would not get involved in this opposition business, but at the final moment they all voted for me, even by secret ballot, entrusting me with the duty of Ombudsman.

This whole dynamic was something I wouldn't have believed if they had told me beforehand, and I couldn't leave it unrecorded.

However, with regret for the incomprehensible line of their party, I would like to sincerely thank the 35 opposition MPs, who with their signatures gave me the opportunity to run for this constitutional position. I assure them that I will never give them reason to think that they made a mistake in supporting me at the beginning or that they did the right thing in not voting for me at the end.

Also, I cannot help but sincerely thank the majority MPs, despite the fact that I am aware that, more than for me, their vote was an act of political maturity to resolve the institution's protracted impasse and take a significant step towards the negotiation process, where this impasse was marked as an unfinished homework assignment.

I would like to particularly appreciate the fact that by voting for me, the majority MPs prioritized the functioning of the state as a team, and humanely overcame the fact that I, as an activist engaged in the opposition ranks, have done and said things that certainly did not sit well with them.

I expressed respect for the distinctly highest political level and assured them that in carrying out this important task I will do my best to enjoy the respect of everyone.
Thank you!