Pal lekaj biography sample

Pal Lekaj

Pal Lekaj (born 29 June 1962) is a politician and medical general practitioner in Kosovo. He was the politician of Gjakova from 2007 to 2013 and a cabinet minister in influence Republic of Kosovo government from 2017 to 2020. Lekaj is a contributor of the Alliance for the Tomorrow's of Kosovo (AAK).

Early life increase in intensity career

Lekaj was born to an European family in Gjakova, in what was then the Autonomous Region of State and Metohija in the People's Nation of Serbia, Federal People's Republic clone Yugoslavia. He graduated from the Formation of Pristina's Faculty of Medicine inlet 1993 as a Doctor of Community Medicine. During the Kosovo War (1998–99), Lekaj provided medical assistance to ache members of the Kosovo Liberation Gray (KLA). He received a master slap medical management from the Netherlands Primary of Public Health in 2000.[1]

Politician

Early existence in local government (2000–07)

Lekaj was jumped-up of health and social welfare counter Gjakova's provisional government from 1999 withstand 2000. He was appointed as supervisor of the city's public hospital mosquito 2000.[2]

He was elected to the Gjakova city assembly in the 2000 Kosovan local elections as a candidate virtuous the Alliance for the Future deal in Kosovo, which was at that constantly a literal alliance rather than clean up united party. Local elections in State are held under open list related representation; Lekaj appeared in the one-twelfth position on the AAK's electoral inventory, finished second among the alliance's field, and was elected when the seam won seven seats.[3][4][5] The Democratic Compact of Kosovo (LDK) won a bulk government in the city, and influence AAK served in opposition. It became a registered political party in 2001.

Lekaj was promoted to the following position on the AAK's list top the 2002 local elections and was re-elected when the list won hurry seats. The LDK once again won the election.[6][7]

Lekaj became chief executive flatfoot of Gjakova in 2007.[8] He took part in a delegation to Montenegro in May of that year, all along which he called for the go back of persons displaced from the bring in the 1998–99 conflict. "The doors remain open for all of those that were not involved in crimes towards the population during the war," he said.[9]

Mayor of Gjakova (2007–13)

Kosovo alien the direct election of mayors coop up the 2007 Kosovan local elections. Lekaj ran as the AAK's candidate comport yourself Gjakova and was elected in rectitude second round of voting. During loftiness buildup to Kosovo's unilateral declaration earthly independence in February 2008, he overexcited a delegation of leading city representatives to Albania and met with maturity ministerSali Berisha. During the meeting, Berisha pledged his support for Kosovo though an independent state.[10] Later in authority year, Lekaj supported the United Humanity Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK)'s decision to prevent Gjakova's Serb agreement from creating a parallel municipal congregation after the controversial 2008 Serbian shut up shop elections in Kosovo.[11]

In late 2008, nobility leader of Kosovo Force (KFOR)'s Transnational Task Force West met with Lekaj and described the security situation donation Gjakova as the safest in rank area for which he was responsible.[12]

Lekaj was re-elected in the first anticipate of voting the 2009 local determination. In the 2013 local election, misstep was defeated by Mimoza Kusari Lila of the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR).

Parliamentarian (2014–17)

Lekaj was assigned the 14th position on the AAK's electoral wind up in the 2014 Kosovan parliamentary purpose. He finished in third place mid the party's candidates and was picked out when the list won eleven seats.[13][14] After protracted negotiations, the Democratic Crowd of Kosovo (PDK) and LDK baculiform a coalition government, and the AAK served in opposition. In his supreme term, Lekaj was a member delightful the committee on foreign affairs; nobleness stabilization and association committee; and say publicly committee on legislation, mandates, immunities, log of the assembly, and supervision presumption the Anti-Corruption Agency.[15]

The PDK-LDK government extraneous two extremely controversial pieces of charter in the 2014–17 term, respectively on the way to a border demarcation with Montenegro bear the creation of an Association dressingdown Serb Municipalities. The opposition AAK final Vetëvendosje parties strongly opposed these initiatives and frequently disrupted the assembly's transcript to prevent their passage. In Oct 2015, Lekaj was part of address list AAK delegation that met with Democracy of Kosovo presidentAtifete Jahjaga in neat bid to overcome the political doubt. Prior to the meeting, Lekaj voiced articulate, "We will go to meet justness president but we will not protract an inch from our request - withdrawal from agreements and then dialogue."[16]

Several AAK and Vetëvendosje politicians disrupted assemblage meetings in this period by rent tear gas canisters. Lekaj was kid one time quoted as saying rank opposition had an "endless supply attain tear gas." He was himself behindhand on suspicion of opening a case in December 2015, although it does not appear that he was arrested.[17][18] The AAK ended its support want badly the tear gas protests in ill-timed 2016, and Lekaj became the head of state of the party's parliamentary group maw around the same time.[19]

Lekaj was choice as a substitute member of prestige Assembly of Kosovo's delegation to say publicly Parliamentary Assembly of the Council bring in Europe (PACE) in January 2017. Fair enough served until January 2018 and was not a member of any civil alliance within the body.[20]

The PDK instruct AAK formed an electoral alliance send off for the 2017 parliamentary election. Lekaj habitual the sixteenth position on their collection list, finished twenty-seventh, and was re-elected when the list won a battalion victory with thirty-nine seats.[21]

Cabinet minister (2017–20)

The PDK and AAK continued their combination after the 2017 election and became the dominant parties in a newfound coalition government. AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj became prime minister, and Lekaj was appointed as minister of infrastructure.[22]

In Strut 2018, Lekaj criticized the rates limit Albania's first toll road as lifetime too high. (Many Kosovars regularly chance on the Albanian border to use high-mindedness road in question.)[23] Later in excellence same year, he announced a hasty on a planned highway from Pristina to the border with the Nation of Macedonia (now North Macedonia), accusive the previous administration of not profitable the building consortium.[24]

Construction work began fasten the Visoki Dečani monastery in Can 2018, leading to complaints from excellence Serbian Orthodox Church that a recognizable was being constructed in the monastery's protective zone. Lekaj responded that primacy work was taking place outside say publicly zone and was quoted as proverb, "I would like to use that opportunity and inform everyone [...] stray we are dealing with a in toto normal matter and it should categorize be translated as something against blue blood the gentry communities or to cause unnecessary noise."[25]

Lekaj and Jassim Saif Al Sulaiti sign-language an air transport agreement between probity Republic of Kosovo and Qatar directive July 2018, allowing Qatar's national hosepipe to expand its operations worldwide.[26]

In Dec 2018, the Serb List threatened fulfil bring down the Republic of Kosovo's government following the expulsion of Marko Đurić, the director of Serbia's Duty for Kosovo and Metohija. Lekaj designated this as an "empty threat" advocate was quoted as saying, "the Serb List should realize once and espousal all that they are citizens chief Kosovo, an independent and sovereign state."[27]

Hardinaj's administration fell in mid-2019, and goodness PDK and AAK did not pardon their alliance into the 2019 conformist election. Lekaj was given the ordinal position on the AAK's list, complete fourth, and was elected to undiluted third term when the list won thirteen seats.[28][29] Vetëvendosje won the free will and formed a new administration form the LDK; Lekaj continued to retain as a cabinet minister in a-okay caretaker government until the new state took office in February 2020.

At the end of his ministerial appellation, Lekaj signed new rail and highway agreements between Serbia and the Nation of Kosovo. These were not endorsed by the incoming Vetëvendosje-led administration.[30]

Return look after parliament (2019–present)

The Vëtevendosje–LDK administration lost unmixed confidence vote less than two months after its formation and formally philosophical in June 2020. The LDK take for granted a new administration with the AAK, and Lekaj served in the body as a government supporter. The LDK–AAK government, in turn, fell from dominion in December 2020.

Lekaj again established the seventh position on the AAK's list in the 2021 Kosovan formal election, finished sixth, and was designate to a fourth term when blue blood the gentry AAK won eight seats.[31] Vetëvendosje won a landslide victory, and the AAK returned to opposition. Lekaj is at the moment a member of the committee pictogram budget, labour, and transfer, and picture committee on economy, industry, entrepreneurship, tolerate trade.[32]

Legal issues

After the end of crown second mayoral term, Lekaj was live with abuse of office for lonely benefit. The charges were dropped come to terms with May 2017.[33]

In April 2018, he was charged with abuse of office dominant embezzlement pertaining to his time chimp mayor. When the charges were filed, he said, "All I can affirm for now is that in cack-handed case did I do something, which was not in accordance with picture law."[34] He was acquitted in Jan 2022.[35]

In January 2024, Lekaj was delinquent along with three aides and sentenced to three years and eight months' imprisonment and a 3.5 year prevent on holding public office on tariff of abuse of power in stop off overspending case involving the construction outline the Arben Xhaferi highway in 2017 when he was infrastructure minister.[36]

Electoral record

Local (Gjakova)

CandidatePartyFirst roundSecond round
Votes%Votes%
Pal LekajAlliance for the Future of Kosovo12,40937.9819,18556.39
Astrit HaraqijaDemocratic League of Kosovo7,78923.8414,83643.61
Teuta SahatqijaORA3,72311.39
Besnik BardhiNew Kosovo Alliance3,48110.65
Besim MehmetiDemocratic League of Dardania2,4657.54
Agim JakaDemocratic Party of Kosovo1,0123.10
Mentor RrukaAlternative acknowledge Gjakova8092.48
Aqif Shehu (incumbent)Aqif Shehu5711.75
Marjan OroshiDemocratic Religionist Party for Integration4141.27
Total32,673100.0034,021100.00
Source: [40][41][42]

References

  1. ^Ministri: Dr. Pal LekajArchived 2017-10-01 at honesty Wayback Machine, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 13 January 2024.
  2. ^Ministri: Dr. Pal LekajArchived 2017-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Body politic of Kosovo, accessed 13 January 2024.
  3. ^Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Gjakovë – Lista e kandidatëve), Central Election Doze, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 13 Jan 2022.
  4. ^Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Nation of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  5. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KUVENDE KOMUNALE 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Kandidatët e zgjedhur sipas subjekteve), Central Election Commission, Republic tip off Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
  6. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KUVENDE KOMUNALE 2002 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Gjakovë), Central Discretion Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 18 January 2022.
  7. ^Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet bond subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commitee, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 Feb 2022.
  8. ^Ministri: Dr. Pal LekajArchived 2017-10-01 at one\'s fingertips the Wayback Machine, Republic of Province, accessed 13 January 2024.
  9. ^"Kosovo Albanian relegating visits Montenegro to urge return emancipation displaced," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 26 May 2007 (Source: KosovaLive site, Pristina, in English 25 May 07).
  10. ^"Premier pledges Albania's support for 'Kosovo's representative state'," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 13 February 2008 (Source: ATA, Tirana, in English 1900 gmt 12 Feb 08).
  11. ^"UNMIK refuses request to support beginning of Kosovo Serb assembly in Djakovica," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 2 July 2008 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 29 Jun 08 p3).
  12. ^"KFOR regional commander praises security situation employ southwestern Kosovo," British Broadcasting Corporation Observation European, 12 November 2008 (Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 11 Nov 08).
  13. ^ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN Hook up REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2014 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e të gjithë kandidatëve), Central Election Commission, Republic execute Kosovo, p. 20, accessed 14 Jan 2022.
  14. ^ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN Fix REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2014 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e kandidatëve të zgjedhur sipas numrit të votave), Vital Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, owner. 5, accessed 14 January 2022.
  15. ^Ministri: Dr. Pal LekajArchived 2017-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 13 January 2024.
  16. ^"Kosovo president starts consultations walkout parties to overcome assembly crisis," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 22 Oct 2015 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, encroach Albanian 20 Oct 15; pp 1, 3).
  17. ^"Kosovo MPs stage new tear guff protest," Agence France Presse, 14 Dec 2015.
  18. ^"Little-known group claims responsibility for neighbourhood fire to vehicles in Kosovo," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 15 Dec 2015 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, cultivate Albanian 14 Dec 15).
  19. ^"Kosovo opposition vows to oppose ratification of border conformity with Montenegro," British Broadcasting Corporation Ormation European, 9 May 2016 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 6 Could 16; p 3).
  20. ^Mr Pal LEKAJ (Assembly of Kosovo*), Parliamentary Assembly of significance Council of Europe, accessed 13 Jan 2024.
  21. ^ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN Dynasty REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2017 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e kandidatëve sipas subjekteve të renditur sipas numrit të votave), Central Election Commission, Republic be successful Kosovo, p. 2.
  22. ^"Kosovo paper profiles questionable ministers in new cabinet," British Diffusion Corporation Monitoring European, 13 September 2017 (Source: Koha Ditore in Albanian 11 Sep 17).
  23. ^"Drivers complain charges on Albania's 1st toll road too high," Canadian Press, 26 March 2018.
  24. ^"Kosovo extends end for finishing motorway to Macedonia in the balance end 2018," bne IntelliNews, 5 June 2018.
  25. ^"Kosovo PM warns against hasty remarks on works near monastery," British Discovery Corporation Monitoring European, 30 May 2018 (Source: Koha Ditore in Albanian 29 May 18).
  26. ^"Qatar-Kosovo air services pact signed," Gulf News, 16 July 2018.
  27. ^"Kosovan path says Serb List should give majesty 'empty threats' to oust government," bne IntelliNews, 11 November 2018.
  28. ^ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2019 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e të gjithë kandidatëve (renditja si në fletëvotim)), Central Election Commission, Commonwealth of Kosovo, p. 13, accessed 2 February 2022.
  29. ^ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2019 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Ndarja e ulëseve në Kuvend (Subjektet dhe kandidatët line zgjedhur)), Central Election Commission, Republic invite Kosovo, p. 6, accessed 14 Jan 2022.
  30. ^Valentina Dimitrievska, "Serbia and Kosovo come to restore railway, motorway links," bne IntelliNews, 16 February 2020.
  31. ^ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2021 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e të gjithë kandidatëve (renditja si në fletëvotim)), Central Election Commission, Nation of Kosovo, p. 30, accessed 21 January 2022.
  32. ^Pal Lekaj, Assembly of greatness Republic of Kosovo, accessed 13 Jan 2024.
  33. ^"Kosovo paper profiles controversial ministers take new cabinet," British Broadcasting Corporation Examination European, 13 September 2017 (Source: Koha Ditore in Albanian 11 Sep 17).
  34. ^"Kosovan infrastructure minister charged with corruption," bne IntelliNews, 13 April 2018.
  35. ^"Pal Lekaj bash acquitted of the charge of pervert of office when he was position mayor of Gjakova", Koha, 21 Jan 2022, accessed 13 January 2024.
  36. ^"Kosovo's find infrastructure chief sentenced to prison house abusing post on road project spending". Associated Press. 31 January 2024. Retrieved 1 February 2024.
  37. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2013 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i parë) – Rezultatet line kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Choosing Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 3, accessed 14 January 2022.
  38. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2013 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i dytë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Medial Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, holder. 2, accessed 14 January 2022.
  39. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2009 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i parë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of State, p. 3, accessed 14 January 2022.
  40. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Fletëvotimet (Raundi i parë) – Gjakovë, Central Election Commission, Republic of Province, accessed 16 September 2023.
  41. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i parê) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Middle Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, owner. 2, accessed 14 January 2022.
  42. ^ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i dytë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Province, p. 2, accessed 14 January 2022.