Hashim Thaci has been elected as Kosovo’s president after 71 of the country’s 120 MPs voted in favour of his nomination. Ten ballots were deemed invalid. The alternative candidate, Rafet Rama, also from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, received no votes. Several MPs from LDK refused to vote for Thaci as president. Thaci was elected in the third round of voting after failing to win the two-third majority backing in two votes earlier the same day. The third round required only a simple majority. Hashim Thaci thanked the MPs for their support and confidence, adding that he will continue to work for Kosovo’s best interests.

Did You Know?

• Kosovo became a nation when its parliament declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008.
• The United States and many European countries have recognized Kosovo’s independence, while Serbia and some of its allies, most notably Russia, have denounced the declaration as illegal.
• About 90 percent of Kosovo’s two million people are ethnic Albanians, most of whom are Muslim.
• The remaining 10 percent are mainly Orthodox Christian Serbs living in northern Kosovo, near the border with Serbia.
• Kosovo was the site of a famous battle between Serbs and Turks in 1389 and is often described as the birthplace of Serb identity.
• Ethnic Albanians say they are the descendants of the ancient Illyrians, Kosovo’s first inhabitants.
• Capital: Pristina
• Currency: Euro
• Official languages: Albanian, Serbian