Atifete Jahjaga
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Atifete Jahjaga (; born 20 April 1975) is a
Kosovar Albanian The Albanians of Kosovo (, ), also commonly called Kosovo Albanians, Kosovan Albanians or Kosovars (), constitute the largest ethnic group in Kosovo. Kosovo Albanians belong to the ethnic Albanian sub-group of Ghegs, who inhabit the north of A ...
politician who served as the third
President of Kosovo The President of Kosovo (; ), officially the President of the Republic of Kosovo (; ), is the head of state of Kosovo. The president is elected indirectly by the parliament through a secret ballot, requiring a two-thirds majority of deputies in ...
. She was the first female President of Kosovo, the first non-partisan candidate to hold the office, and the youngest female head of state to be elected to the position. Prior to her presidency, Jahjaga served as Deputy Director of the
Kosovo Police The Kosovo Police (Albanian language, Albanian: ''Policia e'' ''Kosovës'') is the national police, policing law enforcement agency of Kosovo. It was established in 1999 and took its current form with the 2008 police law. It consists of five dep ...
,Koha, "Në krye të Policisë së Kosovës, Atifete Jahjaga"
''Shqip TIME.mk'' 16 October 2010 (accessed 6 April 2011)
holding the rank of General Lieutenant Colonel, the highest rank achieved by a female officer in Southeastern Europe."Kush do të na udhëheq"
''Telegrafi.com'' 7 April 2011 (accessed 7 April 2011)


Early life and education

Jahjaga, a
Kosovo Albanian The Albanians of Kosovo (, ), also commonly called Kosovo Albanians, Kosovan Albanians or Kosovars (), constitute the largest ethnic group in Kosovo. Kosovo Albanians belong to the ethnic Albanian sub-group of Ghegs, who inhabit the north of ...
, was born in
Gjakova Gjakova or Đakovica, ) and Đakovica ( sr-Cyrl, Ђаковица, ) is the sixth largest city of Kosovo and seat of the Gjakova Municipality and the District of Gjakova, Gjakova District. According to the 2024 census, the municipality of Gjakov ...
, which was then part of the
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (commonly abbreviated as SFRY or SFR Yugoslavia), known from 1945 to 1963 as the Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia, commonly referred to as Socialist Yugoslavia or simply Yugoslavia, was a country ...
. Her paternal ancestry is from Berisha in northern
Albania Albania ( ; or ), officially the Republic of Albania (), is a country in Southeast Europe. It is located in the Balkans, on the Adriatic Sea, Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea, and shares land borders with Montenegro to ...
. She completed her elementary and secondary education in Gjakova and graduated from the
University of Pristina The University of Pristina () is a public university located in Pristina, Kosovo. It is the institution that emerged after the disestablishment of the University of Pristina (1969–1999) as a result of the Kosovo War. The inauguration ...
with a degree in
Law Law is a set of rules that are created and are enforceable by social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and as the ar ...
in 2000. In 2006/07, she completed a graduate and certificate program in police management and criminal law at the
University of Leicester The University of Leicester ( ) is a public university, public research university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park, Leicester, Victoria Park. The university's predecessor, Univ ...
in the United Kingdom. Jahjaga also received professional training at the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies in Germany, the
FBI National Academy The FBI National Academy is a program of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Academy for active U.S. law enforcement personnel and also for international law enforcement personnel who seek to enhance their credentials in their field and to ...
in the United States, and earned a postgraduate certification in Crime Science from the
University of Virginia The University of Virginia (UVA) is a Public university#United States, public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson and contains his The Lawn, Academical Village, a World H ...
in 2007.


Police career

After the
Kosovo War The Kosovo War (; sr-Cyrl-Latn, Косовски рат, Kosovski rat) was an armed conflict in Kosovo that lasted from 28 February 1998 until 11 June 1999. It ...
, Jahjaga completed the Kosovo Police Academy to become an officer and was gradually promoted through the ranks, initially to major, then colonel, and ultimately to major general. Jahjaga served as the Deputy Director of the
Kosovo Police The Kosovo Police (Albanian language, Albanian: ''Policia e'' ''Kosovës'') is the national police, policing law enforcement agency of Kosovo. It was established in 1999 and took its current form with the 2008 police law. It consists of five dep ...
and briefly held the position of acting General Director in 2010. During her time in the Kosovo Police, she gained attention from American officers and diplomats, who presented her to senior U.S. officials on special occasions as a representative of a new generation of Kosovar civil servants.


President of Kosovo

Following a political crisis in Kosovo, which began with the resignation of President
Fatmir Sejdiu Fatmir Sejdiu (; born 23 October 1951) is a Kosovo Albanian politician. He was the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and was the 1st President of Republic of Kosovo. Early life and education Fatmir Sejdiu was born on 23 October 1 ...
and was followed by the Constitutional Court's decision against the election of
Behgjet Pacolli Behgjet Isa Pacolli (; (born 30 August 1951) is an Albanian-Kosovan Swiss politician and businessman who served as the first deputy prime minister of Kosovo and minister of foreign affairs from 2017 to 2019 under the Ramush Haradinaj government. ...
as President of Kosovo, Jahjaga was announced on 6 April 2011 as a consensus candidate for the office of President. Her candidacy was supported by the
Democratic Party of Kosovo The Democratic Party of Kosovo (, PDK) is one of the largest political parties in Kosovo. It was originally a social-democratic party coming out of the demilitarised Kosovo Liberation Army after the Kosovo War, with most of the leadership c ...
,
Democratic League of Kosovo The Democratic League of Kosovo (, LDK) is the oldest and one of the largest list of political parties in Kosovo, political parties in Kosovo. History During the late 1980s, nationalism was on the rise throughout the Socialist Federal Republi ...
and the
New Kosovo Alliance New Kosovo Alliance (, AKR) is a liberal political party in Kosovo. The party was founded on 3 May 2006, by Behgjet Pacolli. History In April 2007, a BBSS Gallup International/Index survey suggested that the AKR was the fourth-largest politic ...
,"Marrëveshja për Kosovën, presidente Atifete Jahjaga"
''Telegrafi.com'' 6 April 2011 (accessed 6 April 2011)
as well as by the U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo,
Christopher Dell Christopher William Dell (born 1956) is an American diplomat who served as the U.S. ambassador to Angola, Zimbabwe, and Kosovo. Early life and education Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Dell moved with his family to Holmdel Township, New Jersey ...
.RadioKosova, Live Broadcast of Press Conference, 6 April 2011AFP, "Kosovo government, opposition reach deal to end impasse"
''Google News'' 6 April 2011 (accessed 6 April 2011)
Dell urged parliament members to vote in her favor. Although Jahjaga had a positive reputation as a police commander, she emerged from relative obscurity as a candidate for the highest office in the state, with many public and political figures unaware of her political views. On 7 April 2011, Jahjaga was elected President in the first round of voting by the
Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo (; sr-Cyrl-Latn, Скупштина Републике Косово, Skupština Republike Kosovo) or the Kuvendi, is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Kosovo that is directly elected by the peo ...
. Of the 100 MPs present, 80 voted in favor of Jahjaga, while 10 voted for
Suzan Novoberdali Suzan NovoberdaliList of the Deputies of the Kosovo Assembly (2010-)
."Atifete Jahjaga zgjidhet presidente e Kosovës"
'Koha'' 7 April 2011 (accessed 7 April 2011)
She remains the only president to be elected in the first round of voting. Kosovo's first president,
Ibrahim Rugova Ibrahim Rugova (; 2 December 1944 – 21 January 2006) was a Kosovo Albanians, Kosovo-Albanian politician, scholar, and writer, who served as the President of the partially recognised Republic of Kosova, serving from 1992 to 2000 and as President ...
, received more votes, having been appointed by the Parliament in 2002 with an 88-3 vote in the third round of voting.CNN, "Kosovo names key ministers"
4 March 2002 (accessed 10 April 2011)
In her inaugural address, Jahjaga emphasized her primary goal as President: guiding Kosovo on a secure path toward membership in the
European Union The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...
and the
United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...
. She stated, "The ideal of all Kosovo is membership in the EU and a permanent friendship with the United States. I believe and I am convinced our dreams will come true."Ismet Jashari, "Kosovo swears in top woman cop as president"
''AFP'' 7 April 2011 (accessed 7 April 2011)


Presidency


Country image building

Since taking office in April 2011, President Jahjaga focused on strengthening democratic institutions in Kosovo and worked to enhance the country's international recognition. Her activities included advocating for a European and Euro-Atlantic integration agenda, supporting initiatives for reconciliation and tolerance, promoting regional cooperation, and encouraging foreign investment."Kadare: Jahjaga përmirësoi imazhin e Kosovës në botë"
''Lajme Shqip'' 3 September 2013 (accessed 29 September 2013)
"Nikolić, Jahjaga, Ashton meet in Brussels"
''B92'' 6 February 2013 (accessed 29 September 2013)
During her mandate, she emphasized the implementation of constitutional principles and aimed to expand the role of the presidency in Kosovo’s democratic development. Through participation in international forums and diplomatic visits, she sought to promote Kosovo’s state-building process and increase its visibility in international discussions. Her leadership approach received positive international attention, and she was recognized for her engagement in promoting political dialogue and institutional development in Kosovo and the Western Balkans.


Constitutional leadership

President Jahjaga exercised her constitutional responsibilities by opposing legislation considered inconsistent with European Union standards. According to the
European Commission The European Commission (EC) is the primary Executive (government), executive arm of the European Union (EU). It operates as a cabinet government, with a number of European Commissioner, members of the Commission (directorial system, informall ...
Progress Report, her enforcement of institutional checks and balances was noted as a demonstration of the existing
separation of powers The separation of powers principle functionally differentiates several types of state (polity), state power (usually Legislature#Legislation, law-making, adjudication, and Executive (government)#Function, execution) and requires these operat ...
in Kosovo."Kosovo Analytical Report 2012"
''European Commission'' 23 October 2011 (accessed 29 September 2013)
In 2012, she returned the draft Criminal Code to the
Assembly of Kosovo The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo (; sr-Cyrl-Latn, Скупштина Републике Косово, Skupština Republike Kosovo) or the Kuvendi, is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Kosovo that is directly elected by the peo ...
for reconsideration, requesting the removal of provisions related to
freedom of expression Freedom of speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction. The rights, right to freedom of expression has been r ...
, such as the criminalization of defamation and articles that required journalists to disclose their sources. These provisions were deemed incompatible with the Constitution of Kosovo and the
European Convention on Human Rights The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR; formally the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms) is a Supranational law, supranational convention to protect human rights and political freedoms in Europe. Draf ...
. During the 2013 local and 2014 general elections, she worked with the Central Election Commission and judicial institutions to ensure a transparent electoral process, following irregularities in the 2010 elections. International observers noted improvements in these elections, including the participation of Serb-majority municipalities in the north. Following the 2014 elections, a political and constitutional impasse delayed the formation of government institutions. In response, Jahjaga held meetings with party leaders to facilitate the formation of a new government. U.S. President
Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II (born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who was the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the first African American president in American history. O ...
commended her efforts during this period. Subsequently, Jahjaga, in cooperation with key institutional leaders, facilitated agreement on the establishment of the Special Court, as part of international commitments stemming from correspondence with EU High Representative
Catherine Ashton Catherine Margaret Ashton, Baroness Ashton of Upholland (born 20 March 1956) is a Labour Party (UK), British Labour politician who served as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of th ...
. During her mandate, Jahjaga also established three National Councils to encourage dialogue and participation from civil society, academia, and the business community. She also regularly met with representatives of ethnic communities and marginalized groups.


European integration process

Since taking office, President Jahjaga supported Kosovo's efforts toward European Union integration."European Commission: Kosovo Analytical Report 2012"
''European Commission'', 23 October 2011 (accessed 29 September 2013)
In March 2012, she inaugurated the National Council for European Integration, a coordination body aimed at building political and institutional consensus on the European agenda through an inclusive and cross-party approach. At its first meeting, President Jahjaga and EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Füle, launched the Feasibility Study for the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the Republic of Kosovo and the European Union. In 2013, the National Council adopted the first Kosovo National Strategy for European Integration, with participation from various sectors of Kosovar society. As part of the visa liberalization dialogue with the EU, Jahjaga supported the coordination of institutional efforts to fulfill technical criteria. In early 2015, she advocated for the completion of these requirements by May 2015. Kosovo submitted its final report on the visa liberalization roadmap to the European Commission in June 2015. In response to the increased migration of Kosovo citizens to Western Europe in early 2015, Jahjaga visited affected municipalities to engage directly with citizens and discuss their concerns. Her engagement in addressing this issue was acknowledged by several European officials, including EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, who highlighted her role in facilitating communication and cooperation with citizens during the crisis.


Rule of law

On 14 February 2012, President Jahjaga established the National Anti-Corruption Council, a coordinating body intended to align the work and activities of institutions and independent agencies in the prevention and fight against corruption. The Council includes representatives from various institutions and agencies, functioning as a forum for inter-institutional dialogue. In her role as guarantor of constitutional functioning, Jahjaga advocated for an independent and impartial justice system. During the appointment process of the State Prosecutor, which involved delays by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council and a ruling by the Constitutional Court, as well as public debates regarding potential political interference, President Jahjaga followed legal and constitutional procedures in appointing the prosecutor and emphasized transparency throughout the process. Jahjaga also initiated reforms to the law on pardons by introducing more stringent criteria and procedures for granting clemency to convicted individuals. The updated framework marked a departure from prior practices, which had included pardons for individuals convicted of serious crimes. During her tenure, pardons were granted sparingly, and in 2015, no pardons were issued. These decisions received criticism from some entities, including the Ministry of Justice and prisoner advocacy groups.


Combating Islamic extremism and radicalization

During the political deadlock in 2014, Kosovo faced increasing concerns regarding the involvement of some of its citizens in armed conflicts in the Middle East, as the number of individuals joining extremist groups abroad rose. In response to these developments, President Jahjaga engaged national security institutions to address the issue of violent extremism and radicalization. Coordinated efforts led to the arrest of several individuals suspected of recruiting for extremist groups. As part of international efforts to counter violent extremism, President Jahjaga was invited to participate in a United Nations Security Council session in September 2014, where a resolution was adopted aimed at strengthening global responses to terrorism and radicalization. In March 2015, Jahjaga decreed the law prohibiting the participation of Kosovo citizens in foreign armed conflicts, as part of legislative measures intended to curb extremist activities and enhance national security. The law was accompanied by additional preventative measures against radical and extremist activities within Kosovo. The United States and the European Union acknowledged Kosovo's role in supporting the international coalition against the Islamic State and praised its commitment to addressing violent extremism and terrorism.


Attracting foreign investments

President Jahjaga undertook efforts to establish international partnerships and promote Kosovo as a potential destination for foreign investment. She emphasized the importance of cooperation between government institutions and the private sector in improving business practices, with the aim of increasing economic competitiveness and attracting investors. In 2015, President Jahjaga signed an agreement for a €22 million donation from Sheikha Bint Mubarak of the United Arab Emirates. The donation was designated for the construction of a Pediatric Surgical Hospital at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo.


Women's empowerment

During President Jahjaga’s term in office, initiatives were undertaken to promote the role of women in Kosovo. In 2012, she hosted the International Women's Summit titled "Partnership for Change—Empowering Women," which gathered approximately 200 participants, including leaders and representatives from Kosovo, Europe, North America, Africa, and the Middle East. The summit resulted in the formulation of the Pristina Principles, a set of recommendations supporting women's rights to political participation, economic inclusion, and access to justice and security. In May 2012, Jahjaga became a member of the Council of Women World Leaders, a network of current and former women presidents and prime ministers committed to advancing women's leadership globally. She has also participated in international conferences addressing women's roles in public life and decision-making.


Reconciliation and tolerance

During her time in office, President Jahjaga undertook efforts to promote communication and cooperation among Kosovo’s ethnic communities. She participated in interfaith dialogue and held outreach activities with minority groups. In 2013, she visited the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of Dečani during Easter celebrations, where she encouraged continued inter-religious tolerance in Kosovo."The Easter Visit"
''Amici Di Decani'' 5 May 2013 (accessed 11 September 2013)
She also led the Consultative Council for Communities, which proposed recommendations aimed at improving the situation of non-majority communities in areas such as education, economic development, employment, and social inclusion. The Council addressed concerns regarding the treatment of communities and promoted inclusive policies.


Preventing sexual violence in conflict

President Jahjaga was involved in efforts to support survivors of sexual violence during the Kosovo conflict. In March 2014, she established the National Council for Survivors of Sexual Violence During the War, a body composed of representatives from government institutions, civil society, and international organizations, with the purpose of coordinating legal and social support for survivors. In June 2015, Kosovo-born artist Alketa Xhafa-Mripa organized an art installation titled Thinking of You in Pristina to raise awareness and show solidarity with survivors. The initiative, supported by Jahjaga, invited citizens to donate dresses as symbols of support, and the installation received international media attention.


Millennium Challenge Corporation

President Jahjaga was involved in efforts to make Kosovo eligible for the U.S. Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) development funds. In February 2015, she established a working group led by the Office of the President of Kosovo, collaborating with national institutions and UN specialized agencies in Kosovo to enhance policy performance across 20 independent and objective indicators, including economic freedoms, democratic rights, control of corruption, good governance, and investment in people. On November 6, 2015, the MCC announced that Kosovo had passed the MCC scorecard for the first time with 13 out of 20 indicators, showing a 16% improvement in the Control of Corruption indicator compared to the previous year. At its quarterly meeting on December 16, 2015, the Millennium Challenge Corporation Board of Directors voted to make Kosovo eligible for a compact, a large-scale investment program.


Office of the President of Kosovo

During President Jahjaga's mandate, the Office of the President consistently ranked as the most trusted institution by the citizens of Kosovo. As the first consensual and non-partisan President in the history of independent Kosovo, Jahjaga focused on the de-politicization of the Office of the President, ensuring that it remained open to all citizens and political parties. The role of the President was viewed as a unique position for inter-institutional coordination, which helps increase transparency and the effectiveness of institutions in fulfilling their mandates, while also maintaining the constitutional separation of powers. Jahjaga maintained a modest lifestyle throughout her tenure. She and her cabinet were recognized by the Anti-Corruption Agency as a model of transparency and accountability for public officials. Jahjaga's Cabinet of Advisers consists of non-partisan and experienced professionals, many of whom were educated at prestigious U.S. and European universities.


The Jahjaga Foundation

The Jahjaga Foundation is a non-governmental organization founded by Atifete Jahjaga in March 2018. The primary goal of the Jahjaga Foundation is the democratic development of Kosovo and the Balkans, focusing on social inclusion and support for marginalized groups as a foundation for peacebuilding in the region.


Countries visited


Bilateral meetings with foreign officials


Honours and awards


Honours

* ** Two Sicilian Royal Family: Recipient of th
Two Sicilian Royal Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George Benemerenti Medal, 1st Class
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** Two Sicilian Royal Family: Knight Grand Cross of the
Royal Order of Francis I The Royal Order of Francis I (properly 'The Royal Order of Francis I of the Two Sicilies' ) was an extinct order of merit of the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies which was annexed in 1861 by the King of Italy (until 1860 King of Piedmont and S ...
* **Honorary citizen of
Panama City Panama City, also known as Panama, is the capital and largest city of Panama. It has a total population of 1,086,990, with over 2,100,000 in its metropolitan area. The city is located at the Pacific Ocean, Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, i ...


Awards

27 June 2013 -
Honoris Causa An honorary degree is an academic degree for which a university (or other degree-awarding institution) has waived all of the usual requirements. It is also known by the Latin phrases ''honoris causa'' ("for the sake of the honour") or ''ad hono ...
from the
University of Durham Durham University (legally the University of Durham) is a collegiate public research university in Durham, England, founded by an Act of Parliament in 1832 and incorporated by royal charter in 1837. It was the first recognised university to ...
. 21 September 2014 - Leadership in Public Service Award from the
Clinton Global Initiative The Clinton Foundation (founded in 2001 as the William J. Clinton Presidential Foundation, and renamed in 2013 as the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation) is a nonprofit organization under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code. It was e ...
. 16 July 2015 - Honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the
University of Leicester The University of Leicester ( ) is a public university, public research university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park, Leicester, Victoria Park. The university's predecessor, Univ ...
.


See also

*
Ismet Asllani Ismet Hazir Asllani (August 18, 1955 – March 24, 1999) was a Kosovar Albanian businessman, humanitarian, and logistics commander of the 153rd Brigade of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) during the Kosovo War. He is known for using his wealth a ...


References


External links

*Official website o
The Jahjaga FoundationOfficial website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jahjaga, Atifete 1975 births 21st-century women presidents Alumni of the University of Leicester Female heads of state Kosovo Albanians Politicians from Gjakova Kosovan women in politics Living people Presidents of Kosovo Women presidents in Europe First women presidents