24 Facts About Atifete Jahjaga

Atifete Jahjaga 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.

Atifete Jahjaga, a Kosovo Albanian, was born in Gjakova, which was then part of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Atifete Jahjaga completed her elementary and secondary education in Gjakova and graduated from the University of Pristina with a degree in Law in 2000.

Atifete Jahjaga served as the Deputy Director of the Kosovo Police and briefly held the position of acting General Director in 2010.

Atifete Jahjaga's candidacy was supported by the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Democratic League of Kosovo and the New Kosovo Alliance, as well as by the US Ambassador to Kosovo, Christopher Dell.

On 7 April 2011, Atifete Jahjaga was elected President in the first round of voting by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo.

Atifete Jahjaga remains the only president to be elected in the first round of voting.

Since taking office in April 2011, President Atifete Jahjaga focused on strengthening democratic institutions in Kosovo and worked to enhance the country's international recognition.

Atifete Jahjaga's activities included advocating for a European and Euro-Atlantic integration agenda, supporting initiatives for reconciliation and tolerance, promoting regional cooperation, and encouraging foreign investment.

President Atifete Jahjaga exercised her constitutional responsibilities by opposing legislation considered inconsistent with European Union standards.

Atifete Jahjaga regularly met with representatives of ethnic communities and marginalized groups.

Since taking office, President Atifete Jahjaga supported Kosovo's efforts toward European Union integration.

On 14 February 2012, President Atifete 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.

Atifete Jahjaga initiated reforms to the law on pardons by introducing more stringent criteria and procedures for granting clemency to convicted individuals.

In March 2015, Atifete 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.

President Atifete Jahjaga undertook efforts to establish international partnerships and promote Kosovo as a potential destination for foreign investment.

Atifete Jahjaga 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 May 2012, Atifete 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.

Atifete Jahjaga has participated in international conferences addressing women's roles in public life and decision-making.

Atifete Jahjaga participated in interfaith dialogue and held outreach activities with minority groups.

Atifete Jahjaga 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 initiative, supported by Atifete Jahjaga, invited citizens to donate dresses as symbols of support, and the installation received international media attention.

President Atifete Jahjaga was involved in efforts to make Kosovo eligible for the US Government's Millennium Challenge Corporation development funds.

The primary goal of the Atifete 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.