President of Kosovo Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids President of the Republic of Kosovo
Presidenti i Republikës së Kosovës Председник Републике Косовo


Incumbent Justina Shiroka Pula
Executive branch of the Government of Kosovo
Style	Madam President Her Excellency
Status	Head of state
Residence	Kosovo Assembly Building
Seat	Pristina
Appointer	Kuvendi
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Kosovo
Inaugural holder	Ibrahim Rugova
Formation	25 January 1992 (de jure) 4 March 2002 (de facto)
Deputy	Speaker of the Assembly
Salary	€2,873 monthly
Website	Official website: http://www.president-ksgov.net/

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The president of Kosovo is the official head of state of the partially recognized nation called the Republic of Kosovo. This important leader represents the country at home and all around the world. The leader works from the main government offices located in the capital city of Pristina.

How is the President of Kosovo Chosen?
What Does the President Do Every Day?
History of the Presidency
Images for kids
See also

How is the President of Kosovo Chosen?

The people of Kosovo do not vote directly for their leader. Instead, the country's parliament chooses the president through a secret vote. To win, a candidate must receive at least two-thirds of the votes from the lawmakers. If nobody wins after two tries, a third round happens where the person with the most votes wins.

A president serves for a term of five years. A person can hold this job only twice. If the leader leaves early, the Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo temporarily steps in as the acting leader. However, an acting leader cannot serve for more than six months while the assembly prepares to pick a new president.

What Does the President Do Every Day?

The president has many important duties described in the Constitution of Kosovo. As the main leader, the president helps guide foreign policy and meets diplomats from other nations. The president also serves as the top commander of the Kosovo Security Force.

When parliament passes new laws, the president signs them so they can take effect. If a law seems unfair, the president can send it back to parliament to be checked again. The leader also officially picks the candidate for Prime Minister of Kosovo based on the largest group in parliament. Working with the Kosovo Judicial Council, the president appoints judges to major courts, including the Constitutional Court of Kosovo. In addition, the president selects the leader of the Central Election Commission of Kosovo and gives out special medals of honor to brave citizens.

History of the Presidency

The nation's first leader after the Kosovo War was Ibrahim Rugova, who helped guide the region for several years. After he passed away in 2006, Fatmir Sejdiu took over the job. When Sejdiu stepped down, parliament leader Jakup Krasniqi briefly served as the temporary head of state.

In early 2011, businessman Behgjet Pacolli held the role for a very short time. Soon after, Atifete Jahjaga, a former high officer in the Kosovo Police, became the country's first female president. Later leaders included Hashim Thaçi and Vjosa Osmani. Today, Justina Shiroka Pula serves as the president of Kosovo, continuing the tradition of leading the young nation forward.