Global General

Kosovo president resigns for constitutional breach

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-09-28 07:23

PRISTINA - Fatmir Sejdiu resigned Monday from the post of President of Kosovo, following the Constitutional Court's decision that he has violated the constitution by holding two public positions at the same time.

Sejdiu made the announcement in a nationally-televised live address.

Kosovo's President Fatmir Sejdiu announces his resignation during a news conference in Pristina September 27, 2010, following a constitutional court ruling last week that he cannot serve as head of state and leader of his political party simultaneously. [Agencies]

"I believed that keeping the post of LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) President, without exercising that function, doesn't violate the Constitution. But, the Court ruled otherwise and I respect that," he said.

"There has been a serious violation of the Constitution of Kosovo, by His Excellency, Fatmir Sejdiu, holding the office of President of the Republic as well as the position of Chairman/President of the political party Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) at the same time," the court said in its ruling.

LDK is part of the ruling coalition with Prime Minister Hashim Thaqi's Kosovo Democratic Party (PDK).

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Sejdiu was elected president in February 2006 succeeding Ibrahim Rugova who died while in office, and was reelected in 2008.

He is a prominent law professor closely involved in establishing legal framework for the Kosovo political and constitutional system, including the constitution.

"Today's act of mine reaffirms my commitment to showing full respect to our institutions and their decisions," added Sejdiu.

Kosovo assembly members filed the case to the Constitutional Court in June, stressing the President has no right to be President and a leader of a political party.

Jakup Krasniqi, the speaker of the Kosovo Assembly will be the acting President in accordance with the constitution.

Krasniqi appreciated Sejdiu's decision in respecting Court's decision, and promised to act quickly in electing the new president.

"In a short period I will invite representatives of political parties to coordinate further constitutional steps in electing the new president," said Krasniqi.

Sejdiu exercised President's duty in the period of important political development for Kosovo. He was the leader of the team that negotiated internationally mediated status talks with Serbia.

But his LDK party was losing public support at home, partly due to his inability to exercise the party leader's role while simultaneously being the president of Kosovo.