The president of Kosovo (Albanian: Presidenti i Kosovës; Serbian: Председник Косова, romanized: Predsednik Kosova), officially the president of the Republic of Kosovo (Albanian: Presidenti i Republikës së Kosovës; Serbian: Председник Републике Косова, romanized: Predsednik Republike Kosova), is the head of state of the partially recognized Republic 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.
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represents the Republic of Kosovo, internally and externally
guarantees the constitutional functioning of the institutions set forth by the Constitution of Kosovo
announces elections for the Assembly of Kosovo and convenes its first meeting
issues decrees in accordance with the Constitution
promulgates laws approved by the Assembly of Kosovo
has the right to return adopted laws for reconsideration, 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 the Constitution
may refer constitutional questions to the Constitutional Court of Kosovo
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 of Kosovo 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 of Kosovo
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, was elected as president.
Officeholders
Presidents
Political parties:
LDK
AKR
Independent
PDK
Guxo
Acting presidents
The Acting President of Kosovo (Albanian: Ushtrues i Detyrës së Presidentit të Kosovës, Serbian: Вршилац дужности председника Косова, romanized: Vršilac dužnosti predsednika Kosova) is a temporary position held by the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo (Albanian: Kryetari i Kuvendit të Kosovës, or Kryeparlamentari i Kosovës, Serbian: Председник Скупштине Косова, romanized: Predsednik Skupštine Kosova) 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:
LDK
PDK
Guxo
Vetëvendosje