Jozefina Coba Topalli is the first woman Speaker of the Albanian Parliament and the sixth Speaker of the Albanian Parliament in its multiparty parliamentary system since 1991. She became Speaker in September 2005 having served as Deputy Speaker of the Albanian Parliament in the two previous legislatures (1997-2001; 2001-2005).

Ms Topalli holds two Bachelor Degrees from the Faculties of Mathematics and Law of “Luigj Gurakuqi”, University in Shkodra, Albania. She studied and did post graduate work in the field of International Relations at Padova University in Italy. She also holds a Master Degree in Public Administration from the University of Tirana and a Master Degree in European Studies.

During 1992-1995 she worked at the Chamber of Commerce in the city of Shkodra to be followed by a career as Chancellor and Lecturer at “Luigj Gurakuqi” University in Shkodra from 1995-1996.

In her positions as Speaker of Parliament and as Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party as well as a member of the European Council since 2002, Ms Topalli is actively engaged in Albania’s efforts for EU membership. Ms Topalli is a politician devoted to women and children health matters, toward children in need, and toward education in general.