March 11 (SeeNews) - Ardian Turku has been appointed Albania's new Tourism, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister under a decree issued by President Bamir Topi on March 10, the president's office has said.
Turku, a former mayor of the town of Elbasan, replaces Ylli Pango who was dismissed earlier this month over a media report accusing him of sexual harassment.
Pango lost his job after popular Albanian private TV broadcaster Top Channel aired video footage showing a man, who it claimed was him, asking a female job applicant to strip. According to Top Channel, the incident allegedly occurred in Pango’s home.
Pango, 56, said in a statement the report was “pure media fabrication”.
Since 2005, when incumbent Sali Berisha took over as prime minister from Fatos Nano, he has replaced 10 of his 14 ministers. The ministers who have remained unchanged in the past four years are Finance Minister Ridvan Bode, Economy, Trade and Energy Minister Genc Ruli, Environment Minister Lufter Xhuveli and Agricultural and Food Minister Jenim Gjana.
Albania will hold general elections on June 28.