Riza Sapunxhiu

Riza Sapunxhiu (15 March 1925 – 6 September 2008) was a Kosovar communist politician and economist. He served as deputy prime minister and prime minister of Kosovo prior to becoming its representative in the Yugoslav Presidency.

Riza Sapunxhiu
3rd Member of the Presidency of Yugoslavia for SAP Kosovo
In office
15 May 1989 – 21 March 1991
Preceded bySinan Hasani
Succeeded bySejdo Bajramović
6th Prime Minister of Kosovo
In office
May 1980 – May 1982
Preceded byBahri Oruçi
Succeeded byYmer Pula
Personal details
Born(1925-03-15)15 March 1925
Peć, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes
Died6 September 2008(2008-09-06) (aged 83)
Peja, Kosovo[a]
NationalityYugoslav of Albanian ethnicity
Political partyLeague of Communists of Kosovo

Born in Peć, Sapunxhiu was an ethnic Albanian. From 1980 to 1982, he served as prime minister of Kosovo.[1] In 1981, he headed the Kosovar delegation in a historical visit to Albania. This visit paved the way for closer relations between Albania and the Albanian community in Kosovo and the rest of Yugoslavia.[2]

As a successful economist, in 1982, Sapunxhiu became an official at the World Bank.[3]

When the Yugoslav crisis began, he supported the territorial integrity of Yugoslavia but did not effectually vote, though he was registered as voting pro. Nevertheless, the state of emergency was not declared due to opposition by other members of the presidency.[4]

Notes
a.   ^ The political status of Kosovo is disputed. Having unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, it is formally recognised as an independent state by 97 UN member states (with another 15 recognising it at some point but then withdrawing recognition), while Serbia continues to claim it as part of its own sovereign territory.

References
  1. Worlds Statesmen - Yugoslavia
  2. A New Right In Albanian-Kosovar Relations
  3. Kosovo: CHAPTER ONE
  4. Broadcast Yourself on YouTube
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