Gjini: Forget about the broad-based government and elections (Koha)
The coalition of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) seems confident that it will soon lead the new government and that it will send Hashim Thaci and his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) in the opposition. AAK deputy leader Ardian Gjini on Wednesday that he was surprised by what he called “a futile offensive” by the PDK. “Forget about the broad-based government and elections. The new government will be formed after the ruling of the Constitutional Court; meanwhile the PDK will be a constructive opposition. A coalition government with the PDK would be meaningless and the biggest damage that we can inflict on our country,” Gjini said.
Haziri: Together with the Vetevendosje Movement (Lajm)
Lutfi Haziri, member of the presidency of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said on Wednesday that Kosovo needs a government with an Albanian majority and that the Vetevendosje Movement should join the LDK-AAK-NISMA coalition. Haziri said Vetevendosje must decide if it wants to join an Albanian majority in government, or if it wants to join the PDK in the opposition. “We are still in talks and I am confident that this is what Kosovo needs. Vetevendosje needs to be part of the Albanian majority governing Kosovo,” Haziri told RTK.
Serbian List does not back down from its conditions (Lajm)
The Serbian List, which has won the majority of votes in Serb-inhabited regions, has repeated that it will not back down from its conditions in exchange for joining the new government of Kosovo. In an interview for Radio Free Europe,Aleksandar Jablanovic, leader of the Serbian List, said most important is the survival of Serbs in Kosovo. He also listed the conditions for joining the new government: the annulment and stopping of privatization of publicly-owned enterprises in Serb municipalities, the creation of conditions for the sustainable return of Serbs, return of property to the Serb Orthodox Church and the establishment of the association of Serb majority municipalities. “It will be up to the future prime minister and MPs to decide whether or not they will accept our conditions, but we will not support the new government if they do not meet our terms,” Jablanovic was quoted as saying.
Jacobson: Kosovo needs a law against terrorism (dailies)
The US Ambassador to Kosovo, Tracey Ann Jacobson, said yesterday that threat from terrorism is everywhere. “In the sense of war against terrorism, I hope the new Assembly will soon approve law on foreign fighters which the previous legislation approved in the first reading but has not yet entered into force as law. This is important for the security in Kosovo”, said Jacobson. The US ambassador made the comments during a visit to the Ministry of Internal Affairs where she presented a donation for the police and customs.
Dialogue to be conditioned with implementation of Brussels agreement (Koha)
The paper reports on page three that Serbia is refusing to implement the key points of the Brussels agreement. Political analysts in Pristina argue that resuming dialogue would be meaningless without implementing the most important points of the agreement, such as the dissolution of Serbia’s structures in Kosovo and the establishment of the basic court in the north. Analysts also argue that the future of dialogue between Pristina and Belgrade will depend on who will lead the new government in Kosovo and if the Serbian List will have a key role.
Rexhepi doesn’t believe Geci has left Kosovo (Epoka e Re)
Minister of Internal Affairs, Bajram Rexhepi, said that the Kosovo Police is still in search of the former MP, Gani Geci, wanted in connection to a murder few days ago. Rexhepi said that all border crossings have been instructed to be on the lookout and added that he doesn’t believe Geci was able to leave Kosovo as his family claimed.
Electricity prices to go up by 5 percent (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that the Energy Regulatory Office (ERO) will conduct a special review of electricity prices after the explosion at Kosova A power plant. Citing sources within the ERO, the paper reports that electricity prices could go up by 5 percent. “If there will be a special review, then according to rule, there will be at least a 5 percent increase of electricity price,” a senior ERO official told the paper on Wednesday.
Serbs threaten Sosic (Zëri)
The paper reports that Aleksandar Sosic, a Kosovo Serb who has recently joined the soccer club Drita from Gjilan/Gnjilane, and his family, are reportedly being threatened and under pressure. Sosic told the paper that he is even ready to play for the Kosovo soccer team. The paper also notes that the 19 year-old has closed his Facebook account but continues to stand behind his statements and that he is not afraid to play for this team.
