President of Kosovo


The president of Kosovo, officially the president of the Republic of Kosovo, is the head of state of Kosovo. The president is elected indirectly by the parliament through a secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority of deputies in office. If no candidate achieves the two-thirds majority, in the third round of voting, the candidate who receives a simple majority is elected. The vote in parliament must take place no later than one month before the end of the incumbent president's term. The president serves a five-year term, which is renewable once.

Powers

  • represents the Republic of Kosovo, internally and externally
  • guarantees the constitutional functioning of the institutions set forth by this Constitution
  • announces elections for the Assembly of Kosovo and convenes its first meeting
  • issues decrees in accordance with this Constitution
  • promulgates laws approved by the Assembly of Kosovo
  • has the right to return adopted laws for re-consideration, when he/she considers them to be harmful to the legitimate interests of the Republic of Kosovo or one or more Communities. This right can be exercised only once per law
  • signs international agreements in accordance with this Constitution
  • proposes amendments to this Constitution
  • may refer constitutional questions to the Constitutional Court
  • leads the foreign policy of the country
  • receives credentials of heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the Republic of Kosovo
  • is the Commander-in-Chief of the Kosovo Security Force
  • leads the Consultative Council for Communities
  • appoints the candidate for Prime Minister for the establishment of the Government after proposal by the political party or coalition holding the majority in the Assembly
  • appoints and dismisses the President of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kosovo upon the proposal of the Kosovo Judicial Council
  • appoints and dismisses judges of the Republic of Kosovo upon the proposal of the Kosovo Judicial Council
  • appoints and dismisses the Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of Kosovo upon the proposal of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council
  • appoints and dismisses prosecutors of the Republic of Kosovo upon the proposal of the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council
  • appoints judges to the Constitutional Court upon the proposal of the Assembly
  • appoints the Commander of the Kosovo Security Force upon recommendation of the Government
  • with the Prime Minister, jointly appoints the Director, Deputy Director and Inspector General of the Kosovo Intelligence Agency
  • decides to declare a State of Emergency in consultation with the Prime Minister
  • may request meetings of the Kosovo Security Council and chairs them during a State of Emergency
  • decides on the establishment of diplomatic and consular missions of the Republic of Kosovo in consultation with the Prime Minister
  • appoints and dismisses heads of diplomatic missions of the Republic of Kosovo upon the proposal of the Government
  • appoints the Chair of the Central Election Commission
  • appoints the Governor of the Central Bank of the Republic of Kosovo who will also act as its Managing Director, and appoints the other members of the Bank’s Board
  • grants medals, titles of gratitude, and awards in accordance with the law
  • grants individual pardons in accordance with the law
  • addresses the Assembly of Kosovo at least once a year in regard to her/his scope of authority

    History

The first post-war president, who served until his death in January 2006, was Ibrahim Rugova. His successor was Fatmir Sejdiu. When Sejdiu resigned from his post on 27 September 2010, Jakup Krasniqi served as acting president. On 22 February 2011, Behgjet Pacolli was elected as a president of Kosovo, which was quickly evaluated as an unconstitutional move. On 4 April 2011, Pacolli stepped down and it was decided that another candidate would be elected to serve for up to a year. A constitutional reform will be undertaken to allow for a popular vote for the president in 2013. On 7 April 2011, Atifete Jahjaga, Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police, with the rank of major general, Telegrafi.com 7 April 2011 was elected as president.

Officeholders

Presidents

Political parties:

Acting presidents

The Acting President of Kosovo is a temporary position held by the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo when the President is unable to perform their duties.
The Speaker assumes this role during periods of absence, incapacity, or vacancy in the presidency, serving as the acting head of state until the President resumes office or a new President is elected. The position is limited in duration and cannot be held for more than six months. The Speaker of the Assembly is the first in the presidential line of succession in the Republic of Kosovo.
Political parties:

Timeline

Latest election