Democracy News

Kosovan Parliament Elects Chief of Police as Interim President
April 6, 2011
By: Carlos Aramayo | Printer Friendly

On March 28, BBC News reported that the February 2011 election of Kosovo's president, Behgjet Pacolli, was ruled illegal by the country’s highest court after opposition parties complained of irregularities. Opposition politicians welcomed the ruling which nullified the election of multi-millionaire businessman Pacolli, who came to office following a power-sharing deal with Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.
According to AFP, Kosovo’s Constitutional Court stated that Pacolli’s election was a breach of the constitution because no candidate stood against him and because two-thirds of the parliamentarians were not present for the vote.

Pacolli, who initially declined to formally resign, changed his discourse through a statement on the president's website where he stated he was, "ready to abide by the judgment in its entirety."    Meanwhile, parliamentary speaker Jakup Krasniqi has officially taken over as acting president backed by the constitutional court, the Voice of America reports.

The court ruling was the second against a Kosovan head of state in the last six months. Previously, Fatmir Sejdiu resigned in September 2010, after the Constitutional Court stated he had violated the constitution by also serving as a party leader.

Kosovo’s major political parties came to an agreement on April 7, and designated Atifete Jahjaga, the deputy director of Kosovo police, as the new presidential candidate. German news outlet Deutsche Welle reported that Jahjaga received 80 votes from the 120-member parliament, but that only 100 parliamentarians took part in the vote. Additionally AFP reported that United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Christopher Dell – who mediated the deal – stated that Jahjaga was "one of Kosovo's finest and most senior police officers and at the time when Kosovo's institutions have been damaged and many questions weather Kosovo is capable providing justice for its people I believe Atifete Jahjaga will be an important symbol of the country's commitment to justice."

After several rounds of talks between the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), its coalition partner the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), and the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the parties agreed to hold new presidential elections within 18 months.

For previous news on Kosovo please see:
Kosovo Holds First Parliamentary Election

Sources:
BBC News – Election of Kosovo's president ruled illegal

AFP – Kosovo government, opposition reach deal to end impasse

Voice of America – Kosovo Court Orders President to Resign

Deutsche Welle – Kosovo elects female police chief as new president