A consensual prime minister to break the deadlock (Koha)
In a front-page article, the paper reports that Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga has ruled out the possibility of seeking an opinion from the Constitutional Court for breaking the deadlock. Arber Vllahiu, spokesman for President Jahjaga, told the paper that Assembly members and leaders of parliamentary parties need to find a solution through a process of discussions facilitated by the President. Unidentified sources told the paper that Jahjaga might propose a consensual prime minister with a two-year mandate and that neither Ramush Haradinaj, Hashim Thaci nor Isa Mustafa would get the post. The same sources said that the proposed candidate would not be a member of a political party and that the President will play a key role in the process.
Post-election coalition has a secret strategy (Tribuna)
On page two, the paper quotes officials from the post-election coalition of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), as saying that they have prepared a strategy for the forthcoming session of the Assembly but that only the coalition leaders are aware of what it contains. On the other hand, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is to meet this week and discuss its course of action for the 2 October session.
There will be no international intervention (Tribuna)
Kosovo political parties may prolong the political crisis and even face another failed Assembly session but they will not be able to count on the international community’s involvement to resolve the deadlock, the paper reports, quoting unnamed sources. There is a consensus among the international community that there should be no intervention except for sending out the usual messages that it is up to the parties in Kosovo to find a solution. Internationals will however provide President Atifete Jahjaga full support in her efforts to convince parties to reach an agreement.
Thaci promises transparency (dailies)
Outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said the foundations of the new government will be transparency and accountability. He said he will be personally engaged in increasing democracy and improving public services. Thaci made the comments in a Facebook post on the International Right to Know Day.
Formalization of the Council of Europe office in Kosovo expected (Epoka e Re)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, met in New York with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE), Mr. Thorbjorn Jagland, with whom she discussed developments in Kosovo and the region, the process of Kosovo’s membership in the CoE, and the region’s European prospects. President Jahjaga stated that Kosovo is a promoter of peace and good neighborliness in the region and is aiming to conclude the process of membership in all international organizations. President Jahjaga praised the role of the CoE in Kosovo and said that Kosovo’s membership in the CoE would help the country in many fields but also in the process of Kosovo’s European integration. Mr. Jagland praised the achievements of Kosovo and emphasized the advances in the process of normalization of relations between Pristina and Belgrade. He said that mixed Kosovo-CoE working groups are continuing their work and he expected the formalization of the CoE office in Kosovo. He also said that a step-by-step approach is being undertaken in relation to Kosovo.
Serbian authorities to order search for another mass grave in October (Koha)
The War Crimes Prosecution of the Republic of Serbia in October this year will order a search into a possible mass grave of Kosovo Albanians killed during the 1999 conflict. War Crimes Deputy Prosecutor Dragoljub Stankovic did not reveal the name of the location but said that the mass grave is believed to be located in an area where bodies of victims from Kosovo were found earlier. Stankovic also said there is information about another mass grave in Kosovo with bodies of Serb victims, where excavations will have to be conducted.
