Kosovo president resigns for constitutional breach

11:18, 28 September 2010

PRISTINA. September 28. KAZINFORM 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; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

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

"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).

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; Kazinform cites China Daily.

See www.chinadaily.com.cn for full version

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