Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The businessman Behgjet Pacolli elected head of Kosovo

The Kosovo parliament elected on Tuesday, February 22 construction magnate Behgjet Pacolli new president of Kosovo after three rounds. Mr Pacolli was the only candidate remaining after forming a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) of outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, re-appointed.

Owner of a construction company, Mabetex, based in Switzerland, Behgjet Pacolli is often designated by the local press as "the Kosovar richest". He made a fortune through contracts in Russia and Kazakhstan. Three rounds were needed to elect a narrow majority of 62 votes on the 67 deputies present, the opposition boycotted the vote.

The Kosovo parliament has 120 seats. Hashim Thaci has it been re-elected as prime minister despite international pressure: the reputation of Mr. Thaci had been tainted after a report by the Council of Europe in January binder organized crime and trafficking in organs. He refuted the allegations dating from his time as leader of the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) which fought Serbian forces during the 1998-1999 conflict.

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