The Albanian parliament has elected a new president on a fourth try.

Former interior minister Bujar Nishani received 73 votes from the 140-seat parliament. The main opposition Socialists boycotted the vote Monday.

The three previous attempts failed because parties could not agree on a consensus candidate.

Mr. Nishani replaces President Bamir Topi, whose five-year term expires in July.

Albania has been embroiled in a political crisis for three years, with the opposition accusing the ruling Democrats of electoral fraud and corruption in the 2009 national elections.