Kosovo Elects Justina Shiroka Pula as New President

Kosovo's parliament elected Justina Shiroka Pula as president with 81 votes, avoiding another snap-election crisis.

By News National Editorial Team

Kosovo's parliament has elected Justina Shiroka Pula as the country's new president, ending a period of political uncertainty and avoiding the possibility of another snap parliamentary election.

Shiroka Pula received 81 votes in the 120-seat Assembly during a special parliamentary session on October 7. The official Kosovo Assembly record confirms her election, while Reuters and the Associated Press independently reported the result.

She becomes Kosovo's third female president.

Economist and academic takes office

Shiroka Pula is an economist and academic who previously served as Kosovo's minister of economy and later headed the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts.

In her first address as president, she said she would serve all citizens regardless of political, ethnic or social background.

She also pledged to strengthen Kosovo's institutions and maintain the country's Euro-Atlantic orientation.

The presidency is largely ceremonial, but it carries important responsibilities in foreign policy and national security.

Election prevents another political crisis

The presidential vote was significant because failure to elect a president could have triggered another political crisis and potentially new parliamentary elections.

Kosovo's parliament reached the required threshold with 81 votes, allowing the country to avoid another immediate electoral confrontation. Reuters reported that the vote followed an agreement between the governing Vetevendosje movement and the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo.

The agreement comes after a period of political tension and protests.

Dispute over war-crimes court

The parliamentary session also involved a controversial legislative change concerning Kosovo's Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor's Office in The Hague.

The Assembly approved the amendment with 88 votes in favour, according to its official record.

The court has prosecuted alleged crimes connected with the 1998–99 Kosovo conflict. The issue remains politically sensitive because many Kosovars regard former Kosovo Liberation Army figures as central to the country's independence struggle.

Reuters reported that recent convictions of former KLA leaders contributed to political tensions and public protests.

A difficult political environment

The new president inherits a politically divided environment.

Kosovo continues to face challenges involving relations with Serbia, international recognition, European integration and domestic political stability.

The country declared independence from Serbia in 2008, but Serbia continues to reject Kosovo's independence. Several EU member states also do not recognise Kosovo.

The new presidency will therefore have an important diplomatic role despite its limited executive powers.

What happens next

Shiroka Pula's immediate task will be to help restore institutional stability and represent Kosovo internationally.

Her emphasis on unity and stronger institutions could help reduce political tensions, although major disagreements over Kosovo's relations with Serbia and the international community will remain.

News National Verification

Confirmed: Justina Shiroka Pula was elected president by Kosovo's Assembly on October 7, 2026.

Vote: 81 of 120 lawmakers voted for her.

Additional development: Parliament approved amendments concerning the Specialist Chambers.

Political significance: The presidential vote avoided another immediate snap-election crisis.

Sources: Kosovo Assembly; Office of the President of Kosovo; Reuters; Associated Press.

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