19 Facts About Fatmir Sejdiu

Fatmir Sejdiu was the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo and was the 1st President of Republic of Kosovo.

Fatmir Sejdiu was born on 23 October 1951, in the small village of Pakashtice, Podujevo, FPR Yugoslavia.

Fatmir Sejdiu was the first child of Nexhmi Sejdiu and Miradije Shala-Sejdiu.

Fatmir Sejdiu finished the primary school and high school in Podujeve.

Fatmir Sejdiu graduated from the Faculty of Law, the University of Pristina, in 1974, where he completed his postgraduate studies and earned his PhD degree.

Fatmir Sejdiu attended studies in France, then in the United States, and has had short study visits at other universities.

Fatmir Sejdiu has published a number of works in the field of the legal, historical, and legal-constitutional studies and other areas.

Fatmir Sejdiu had for many years in his academic office a portrait depicting himself and fellow political party leader Veton Surroi locking arms before the riot police.

Fatmir Sejdiu has always been widely admired for being honest and fair in all his political dealings.

President Fatmir Sejdiu succeeded Rugova and became the first president of Kosovo when it declared independence from Serbia on 17 February 2008.

Fatmir Sejdiu was an influential parliamentarian in the LDK, the party of former Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova.

On 10 February 2006, Fatmir Sejdiu was elected President of the Republic of Kosova with two-thirds of the votes of the Kosova Assembly members, after Rugova died from lung cancer in early 2006.

Fatmir Sejdiu has won praise from world leaders for prioritising implementation of the UN-endorsed standards of good governance and multi-ethnicity.

Also Fatmir Sejdiu led Kosovo delegation on extra 120 days of talks with Serbian delegation, mediated by envoys from the US, EU and Russia.

Fatmir Sejdiu participated in final drafting of text of Declaration of Independence of Kosovo, and is the first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

On 9 January 2008, Fatmir Sejdiu resigned from his position as President of Kosovo to run again in the following elections held the same day.

Fatmir Sejdiu received 68 votes out of 81 needed for his election after a third round of parliamentary vote, when a simple majority of 61 votes is required for the election of the president and regained the position.

Fatmir Sejdiu received one vote less in the second round, while 37 deputies chose Maloku.

Fatmir Sejdiu was elected in the third round of voting later on the same day.