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Kosovo Court Orders President to Resign


Kosovo's President Behgjet Pacolli, gestures during an interview with The Associated Press in his office, hours before Kosovo's top court is to disclose details of a ruling saying Pacolli's election violated the constitution, in capital Pristina, March 30
Kosovo's President Behgjet Pacolli, gestures during an interview with The Associated Press in his office, hours before Kosovo's top court is to disclose details of a ruling saying Pacolli's election violated the constitution, in capital Pristina, March 30

Kosovo's high court has ordered President Behgjet Pacolli to step down from office, after ruling his election was unconstitutional.

A statement on the president's website Wednesday said he is "ready to abide by the judgment in its entirety."

Before the ruling, Mr. Pacolli told the Associated Press "I was president for 35 days and I'm very proud of that." He also said he will run for the office again if nominated.

The nine-member court decided that the parliamentary vote to elect Mr. Pacolli in February was unconstitutional because he was the only candidate, and not enough members were present for the vote.

Opposition lawmakers boycotted the election, leaving only 67 members of the 120-member chamber present.

Leading opposition parties later filed a complaint challenging the legitimacy of the vote.

Mr. Pacolli is Kosovo's second president, and his party is part of the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Kosovo's only other president, Fatmir Sejdiu, resigned in September after the same court ruled he had violated the constitution by serving as a party leader at the same time.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

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