Kosovan parliament elects controversial leaders

Kosovo's parliament elected controversial leader, Hashim Thaci to a second term as prime minister on the 22 February 2011. Opposition parties walked out of the parliamentary session which also saw the election of President Behgiet Pacolli.

The vote came despite Mr Thaci being at the centre of a controversy after a report in 2010 by the Council of Europe linked him to organised crime and organ-trafficking.

• Primary Source

EEAS / European Commission; Press Release, 23.2.11: Joint statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Commissioner Štefan Füle on the establishment of a new government in Kosovo http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/114&format=PDF&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

BBC News, 22.2.11: Thachi re-elected Kosovo PM despite organ controversy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12547784

ESO: Background information: Blow to Kosovo on organ-trafficking claim http://www.europeansources.info/record/blow-to-kosovo-on-organ-trafficking-claim/

ESO: Background Information: Kosovo: Parliamentary Election, 12 December 2010: Kosovo poll sees rise of new parties / Kosovo PM declares election victory http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovo-parliamentary-election-12-december-2010-kosovo-poll-sees-rise-of-new-parties-kosovo-pm-declares-election-victory/

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