Riza Sapunxhiu

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Riza Sapunxhiu

6th Prime Minister of Kosovo
In office
May 1980 – May 1982
Preceded by Bahri Orući
Succeeded by Imer Pula

Born 15 March 1925(1925-03-15)
Peć, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (today Kosovo)
Nationality Yugoslav of Albanian ethnicity
Political party League of Communists of Kosovo

Riza Sapunxhiu (Serbo-Croat: Riza Sapundžiju) (born March 15, 1925) was a Kosovo Albanian communist politician and economist of the former Yugoslavia. He was born in Peć, at the time in the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. He served as Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister of Kosovo prior to becoming its representative in the Yugoslav Presidency.

From 1980 to 1982, Sapunxhiu 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 Albanian community in the Former Yugoslavia.[2]

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

When the Yugoslav crisis began, he opposed the idea of a civil war and did not effectually vote, though he was registered as voting pro. Nevertheless, the civil war was not declared due to opposition by other members of the presidency.[4]

If the Yugoslav Wars had not broken out, Sapunxhiu could haven taken over as chairman of the presidency.

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Preceded by
Sinan Hasani
Kosovar member of the Yugoslav Presidency
15 May 198920 March 1991
Succeeded by
Sejdo Bajramović
Preceded by
Bahri Oruçi
Prime Minister of Kosovo
19801982
Succeeded by
Imer Pula
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