The nine-member court said in its ruling that the Feb. 22 vote in the parliament giving Behgjet Pacolli the presidency “was unconstitutional and shall no longer be in force.” The court said more than one candidate for the presidency was required for an election to be valid and at least two-thirds of parliament’s 120 lawmakers had to be present.
Only 67 lawmakers were present at the vote, because most opposition members walked out in protest over the nomination.
Pacolli told the Associated Press on Wednesday hours before receiving the ruling that he would abide by the court’s decision.
“I was president for 35 days and I’m very proud of that,” Pacolli said.
Kosovo, a tiny landlocked Balkan nation of around 2 million people, gained independence in 2008 when it unilaterally seceded from Serbia.
Pacolli, a 59-year-old multimillionaire businessman, was the country’s second president. Wednesday’s move threatens to throw Kosovo into a political crisis as Pacolli’s party is part of the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.
“The violation was made by others and this is the check that has to be paid in the national interest,” Pacolli said, referring to the court’s ruling that the violation was made during voting procedures in the assembly. “It is unfair, but I will act as is required in that decision.” Pacolli said he will run for office if there will be a new vote in the parliament. Thaci said in a statement sent to the media that the governing coalition will seek “a quick solution in the parliament” but did not elaborate.
Parliamentary Speaker Jakup Krasniqi will take over as acting president. Krasniqi also replaced Pacolli’s predecessor, Fatmir Sejdiu, who was forced to resign after the same court found he violated the constitution by holding the post of president and chair of his political party at the same time.
