Justina Shiroka Pula facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Justina Shiroka Pula
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Pula in 2022
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| 7th President of Kosovo | |
| Assumed office 7 October 2026 |
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| Preceded by | Albulena Haxhiu (acting) |
| President of the Kosova Academy of Sciences and Arts | |
| In office 19 December 2025 – 7 October 2026 |
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| Preceded by | Mehmet Kraja |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Member of the Assembly of Kosovo | |
| In office 21 February 2011 – 7 May 2014 |
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| Minister of Energy and Mining of Kosovo | |
| In office 8 January 2008 – 21 February 2011 |
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| President |
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| Preceded by | Ethem Çeku |
| Succeeded by | Besim Beqaj |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Justina Shiroka
20 December 1953 Pristina, AR Kosovo, FPR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) |
| Political party | Independent (from 2014) |
| Spouse |
Blerim Pula
(m. 1977; died 2026) |
| Education | |
Justina Shiroka Pula is a Kosovar leader, teacher, and economics expert who serves as the President of Kosovo. An economist studies how people and countries earn money, trade goods, and use resources. She is the third woman to hold this top leadership position. Before her presidency, Atifete Jahjaga and Vjosa Osmani led the country as women presidents. Pula is famous for her work in education, science, and the government of Kosovo.
Before becoming head of state, she served as the Minister of Energy and Mining. She was also a lawmaker in the national parliament. In addition, she led the Kosova Academy of Sciences and Arts, making history as its first female president. Members of the Assembly of Kosovo chose her to lead the nation in October 2026.
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Early Life and School Years
Justina Shiroka was born on 20 December 1953 in the city of Pristina. At that time, the region was part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Her family followed the Roman Catholic faith. Growing up in Pristina, she was very curious about how communities work. She wanted to know how towns and cities build better lives for their citizens.
She worked very hard in school and decided to study finance and trade. She went to the University of Pristina and earned her bachelor's degree in economics in 1976. Pula loved learning and chose to continue her university studies right away. Next, she traveled to Croatia to study at the famous University of Zagreb. There, she earned a master's degree in 1984, focusing on the rules of economic development.
Pula wanted to reach the highest level of education possible. She returned to her hometown to earn a doctoral degree, also called a PhD. She received her doctorate from the Faculty of Economics in Pristina. Her major research project explored demographic investments. This topic looks at how spending money on public needs helps a population grow stronger over time. Her research showed how smart planning improves everyday life across Kosovo.
Teaching and Public Work
Working as a Professor
After finishing her early university studies, Pula worked briefly at the Central Bank of Kosovo. The central bank helps manage a country's money supply and keeps the financial system safe. However, Pula truly loved teaching students. In 1978, she became a lecturer at the University of Pristina.
She spent decades teaching young adults about business, trade, and economic policies. Pula helped train thousands of future business leaders and teachers. Along with teaching classes, she wrote research books and articles. She also directed several non-governmental groups that helped local communities solve social problems.
Joining the National Government
Pula later used her financial knowledge to help run the government. In 2008, leaders appointed her Minister of Energy and Mining. Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi led the cabinet at that time, alongside President Fatmir Sejdiu and later Jakup Krasniqi. She took over this important office from Ethem Çeku. As minister, she managed power plants, electricity supplies, and natural resource mines across the country.
She held this cabinet post until 2011, when Besim Beqaj took over the role. In 2011, voters elected Pula to the Assembly of Kosovo as a member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo. She served as an active lawmaker until 2014. Afterward, she became an independent leader, meaning she did not belong to any single political party.
Leadership in Science and Arts
In 2016, the Kosova Academy of Sciences and Arts chose Pula as a corresponding member. This academy brings together the top scientists, writers, and thinkers in the country. By 2018, she became the secretary of its Social Sciences Section and joined its governing board.
The academy promoted her to full academic member status in 2020. On 19 December 2025, the assembly of scholars elected her as president of the whole academy, replacing Mehmet Kraja. This was a major historic milestone because she was the first woman ever to direct the prestigious institution.
Becoming the President of Kosovo
The Presidential Selection
In early 2026, news outlets thought the Democratic Party might choose her to run for the highest office. At first, both party leaders and Pula denied these rumors. However, the nation needed an experienced leader. The presidential seat had become vacant after Vjosa Osmani completed her official term of service, followed by temporary leader Albulena Haxhiu.
Lawmakers in the Assembly of Kosovo needed to choose a new head of state by early October. Prime Minister Albin Kurti suggested Justina Shiroka Pula as the best person for the role. Because she was respected across many different groups, parliament members supported her. She received 81 votes in the assembly, winning the election on the very first ballot.
Taking Office
On 7 October 2026, Justina Shiroka Pula took her official oath of office in parliament. She officially became the seventh President of Kosovo. As president, she represents the unity of the people and stands for the nation on the world stage. Her career shows how a love for learning can help a person serve their entire country.
