Draft Law on Elections against Kosovo Constitution
(RTK2)
MPs of Serb and other communities in the Kosovo Assembly stated that Draft Law on General Elections, which will be put to voting this Thursday, is in contradiction with the Kosovo Constitution, and that it threatens interests and rights of non-majority communities. Consequently, they expressed their objection to passing Law on Elections.
They were particularly concerned about the fact that the Draft Law has been put on the agenda for the next Assembly session, while it is still not known whether non-majority communities will have reserved seats in the Kosovo Assembly.
In the session scheduled for 27th March, representatives of non-majority communities will request removing from the agenda of the item on first reading of the abovementioned law. In case Draft Law on General Elections will remain on the agenda, the MPs representing non-majority communities will vote against such a law.
MPs of non-majority communities have informed embassies, European Commission, and the OSCE on their initiative, requesting their support so that the next solution regarding the Law on General Elections does not threaten interests and rights of non-majority communities in Kosovo.
Political leaders want elections within three months
(RTK1)
All political parties in Kosovo keep talking about the possibility of holding parliamentary elections within next three months, but it is still not known the way how would early elections be called.
The LDK leader Isa Mustafa is in favour of holding elections between the period of 15th May and 15th June.
On the other hand, the AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj reiterated his disappointment with the other two opposition parties who are not joining the initiative for bringing down the Government.
Elections in Kosovo too expensive
(TV21)
Elections are too expensive for the Kosovo budget, or in other words to the Kosovo taxpayers. The cost of elections in Kosovo is about EUR 11.5 million, whereas in the neighbouring country, Macedonia, the cost is less than twice cheaper.
The Central Elections Commission (CEC) officials did not provide sufficient explanations for this situation, while representatives of the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development (KIPRED) reacted.
North Serb protesters block road
(RTK2, Klan Kosova)
The main road Mitrovica/Mitrovicë-Leposavic/Leposaviq was blocked on Tuesday afternoon in Rudare near Zvecan/Zveçan. This is what north Serbs did following the arrest of Albanian lawyer Faruk Korenica, who was defending his client, the protesters’ compatriot Zarko Veselinovic, accused of a serious murder attempt of two ROSU police officers. In addition, EULEX also arrested Dejan Vasic, lawyer of Dragoljub Delibasic, suspect of war crimes against Albanians.
Newly elected mayor of north Mitrovica/Mitrovicë Goran Rakic also joined the protesters. He called on EULEX to explain why Vasic and Korenica were arrested.
The protesters were visited by the police station commander in north Nenad Djuric. Djuric said that he was not aware of the EULEX operation.
EULEX spokesperson stated that the two lawyers were arrested for impeding the proceedings. Klan Kosova learned that Vasic and Korenica had put pressure on a citizen in north, who reported the case to EULEX.
MLGA finds violations in constitution of north municipalities
(KTV)
Ministry of Local Government Administration (MLGA) found many violations in the constitution process of north Mitrovica/Mitrovicë and Zubin Potok municipalities. Thus MLGA has sent its legal opinions to both municipalities, asking for them to correct the violations and act in accordance with the Kosovo legislation.
The violations are mostly about use of the Kosovo state symbols, budget, and the right for accession to associations. MLGA stated that the two north municipalities through their municipal statutes attempted to restrict accession of those two municipalities only to the Association of Serb majority municipalities, which is not their right to do.
MLGA has given a 30-day deadline to four north municipalities to make changes, and asked them to readopt their statutes.
