Extraordinary elections may be held in the rest of north municipalities
(KTV)
Municipalities of Leposavic/Leposaviq, Zvecan/Zveçan, and Zubin Potok have been prolonging the process of establishing their municipal bodies. Those municipalities still have not appointed their municipal assembly presidents, and a few days have remained to the deadline. The delay is happening because the local political parties have not reached any agreement yet.
Ministry of Local Government Administration officials say that in case any of those municipalities fails to appoint the chair, extraordinary elections shall be held. They highlighted that they are making efforts to get involved in the consolidation process of those municipalities, but Serbs have been reluctant for cooperation. Nevertheless, the officials are convinced that all municipalities will work in compliance with the Kosovo legislation.
Analysts: Election reform can be completed in February
(RTK1)
Political analysts Ardian Arifaj and Shpend Kursani think that the decision of political leaders against extending reserved seats for minority members in the Assembly is a right decision. On the other hand, the analysts believe that if political party leaders are willing, the time until the end of February is sufficient for them to agree on the four remaining issues about the election reform completion.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Thaçi announced through Facebook social network that the political spectrum failed in reaching consensus on reserved seats for communities.
Thaçi called on political leaders to intensify the remaining issues related to the election reform, in order that the reform can be completed by end of February.
Reserved seats may not be extended with a political decision
(KTV)
A possibility which has been mentioned recently is that the mandate of reserved seats for minorities in the Kosovo Assembly can be extended with a political decision amongst leaders, without touching the Constitution.
However, constitutional law experts and opposition MPs believe that this is impossible. According to constitutional expert Riza Smaka, if this would happen, it would be a serious violation of the Constitution, which should not be tolerated in a parliamentary democracy.
Teuta Sahatçija of LDK says that the Constitution clearly stipulates how the reserved seats issue is regulated, and it cannot be changed by any political decision.
Vetëvendosje considers that if this happens, Kosovo would enter a totally degraded stage of politics and democracy.
The AAK caucus leader Ardian Gjini also thinks that this is impossible.
Sviric in charge of north Mitrovicë/Mitrovica parallel institutions
(Klan Kosova)
Serbian Government took a decision based on which Aleksander Sviric will be in charge of provisional chairperson of parallel institutions in north Mitrovicë/Mitrovica.
With the same decision, Serbia dismissed a member of what they call provisional body of Zvecan/Zveçan municipality Ivan Todosijevic, and replaced him with the Zvecan/Zveçan mayor Jankovic.
