• Import tax, tool for winning votes (Koha Ditore/Zeri)
• IFIMES: Vetevendosje, LDK leading, PDK and AAK follow (Gazeta Express/RTK)
• Vetevendosje submits signatures for a session to dissolve the Assembly (media)
• Kurti: With a joint coalition, opposition could gain 70 seats (RTK)
• PDK reacts to Vetevendosje’s offer to LDK (Koha Ditore)
• LDK getting mobilised for elections (media)
• Hoxhaj: Serbia is joking with war victims (RTK)
• Kosovo ambassador visits Morina in Skopje detention centre (media)

 Kosovo Media Highlights

Import tax, tool for winning votes (Koha Ditore/Zeri)

Both Koha Ditore and Zeri run a story on their front pages saying that the 100 percent import tariff on Serbia is expected to be used as a tool by political parties in Kosovo win more political points in general elections which are believed will take place in autumn.

Zeri recalls that the decision on imposing the tax was taken by Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj on the proposal of the Deputy Prime Minister Enver Hoxhaj. However, as the international pressure began to increase, Hoxhaj changed the position and said the tax should be suspended. “Then, surprisingly, a night ago, he told the media it [tax] should remain in force,” the paper writes. It adds that a similar call has also been made recently by the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Isa Mustafa who said that the measure should remain in place although, according to the paper, when it was introduced, he said this was an internal consumption move.

Koha Ditore at the same time quotes analyst Imer Mushkolaj saying that the tax issue will be used as a ‘bait’ for collection of votes. “In the inability to offer the citizens a serious alternative in the sense of economic development and increase of welfare, the parties are playing with the tax,” he said adding that the new government of Kosovo will no doubt have to either lift or suspend the tax.

IFIMES: Vetevendosje, LDK leading, PDK and AAK follow (Gazeta Express/RTK)

The Slovenian-based International Institute for Middle East and Balkan Studies (IFIMES) has come out with a report on Kosovo which states that if general elections take place now, Vetevendosje would score the highest number of votes, followed closely by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) while the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) are at present competing for the third slot. The Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA), according to the report, could also win enough votes to pass the election threshold for entering the Assembly while other parties are below the five percent requirement.

The report also said that Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti enjoys the largest voter support as a candidate for prime minister but also warns that there is a threat early elections are prevented from taking place as the two main ruling parties (PDK and AAK) would lose.

In the coverage of the report, RTK highlights the parts of the report that speak about the resignation of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj which IFIMES says was an act of manipulation. “It is clear that he was questioned by the specialist chambers based on his personal responsibility and the Government and the state of Kosovo are not suspects in this case. He is aware of this, being that he was twice tried for war crimes,” RTK quotes the report.

Vetevendosje submits signatures for a session to dissolve the Assembly (media)

Vetevendosje Movement has submitted signatures of 19 MPs for calling a session to dissolve the sixth legislature of the Assembly.

“In accordance with yesterday’s meeting of the Chairmanship of the Assembly, the Vetevendosje parliamentary group has deposited in the Assembly the signatures of 19 MPs, to convene the session for the dissolution of the VI Legislature of the Assembly,” reads a statement issued by this political party. 

Kurti: With a joint coalition, opposition could gain 70 seats (RTK)

Vetevendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti appears to be in favor of a pre-election coalition with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), reports Kosovo’s public broadcaster.

“Pre-election coalition of the so-far true opposition, should become a good government of the future. In this manner, we will have at least 70 MPs. So, we can win even without a battle. Perhaps it is better this way, as we are going to have true and great battles right after the victory,” Kurti wrote on his Facebook account.

PDK reacts to Vetevendosje’s offer to LDK (Koha Ditore)

Abelard Tahiri from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has reacted to the offer Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti has made to the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) for a pre-election coalition.

Tahiri said Kurti’s idea is a sign of panic. “Albin Kurti and his party are afraid of elections, especially what awaits them afterwards,” Tahiri wrote. He added that now that Kurti has realised what is lies ahead he has undertaken a “Don Quixote” adventure.

LDK getting mobilised for elections (media)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) held a meeting with party’s leading structures to discuss preparations for general elections. LDK Spokesperson Besian Mustafa said after the meeting that the party did not come forward with any particular candidate for prime minister and that the media reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate.

Hoxhaj: Serbia is joking with war victims (RTK)

Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo Enver Hoxhaj reacted to Miodrag Solaja’s release from prison, after being sentenced for murder of 14 Albanian civilians, including seven children.

“Justice in Serbia is a real joke and fully at Government’s service! Today, a convicted criminal for killings of 14 civilians in Kosovo, including seven minors, is released! Serbia should apologize for most horrible crimes against humanity, not release criminals,” Hoxhaj wrote on his Twitter account.

In another post, Hoxhaj commented on the article of the German newspaper Die Welt, which reported that Russia has requested to establish a military base on the part of Bosnia and Herzegovina which is governed by Serbs.

“Malign influence of foreign actors increases as the EU seem reluctant to integrate the Western Balkans. Russian presence in the region is dangerous and shows Serbia’s old intentions of dominating the region. The only alternative for Western Balkans is NATO,” Hoxhaj wrote.

Kosovo ambassador visits Morina in Skopje detention centre (media)

Kosovo’s Ambassador to North Macedonia, Gjergj Dedaj, visited Tomor Morina at the detention centre in Skopje where he is remanded after being arrested on an international arrest warrant issued by Serbia.

After the visit, Dedaj said Morina is hopeful of his release as “justice is on his side.” “We expect he will very soon return to his family and Kosovo,” Dedaj wrote on Facebook.