| Riza Sapunxhiu | |
|---|---|
| 6th Prime Minister of Kosovo | |
| In office May 1980 – May 1982 |
|
| Preceded by | Bahri Orući |
| Succeeded by | Imer Pula |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 March 1925 Peć, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (present day Kosovo[a]) |
| Died | 6 September 2008 (aged 83) Peć, Kosovo[a] |
| Nationality | Yugoslav of Albanian ethnicity |
| Political party | League of Communists of Kosovo |
Riza Sapunxhiu (Serbo-Croat: Riza Sapundžiju) (15 March 1925 – 6 September 2008) 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.
| a. | ^ Kosovo is the subject of a territorial dispute between the Republic of Serbia and the self-proclaimed Republic of Kosovo. The latter declared independence on 17 February 2008, while Serbia claims it as part of its own sovereign territory. Its independence is recognised by 86 UN member states. |
| Preceded by Sinan Hasani |
Kosovar member of the Yugoslav Presidency 15 May 1989 – 20 March 1991 |
Succeeded by Sejdo Bajramović |
| Preceded by Bahri Oruçi |
Prime Minister of Kosovo 1980–1982 |
Succeeded by Imer Pula |