President awaits ideas from political leaders (Tribuna)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, is expected to continue a series of meetings with political leaders in an effort to find a solution to the institutional deadlock, the paper reports on the front page. Party leaders, according to the paper, have already received clear signals from the European Union through the recent Progress Report that they need to form new institutions as quickly as possible. As things stand, with the failure of the post-election coalition to resolve the situation in the Assembly, President Jahjaga’s role remains crucial to overcoming the crisis. She is now awaiting ideas from political leaders, but if they do not succeed in finding an acceptable solution, the Constitutional Court may once again be asked to interpret the ambiguous article of its recent ruling on who has the right to propose a candidate for Assembly Speaker.
Zbogar: Find a solution (Tribuna)
In an interview for Klan Kosova, the head of the EU Office in Kosovo, Samuel Zbogar, said that delays in forming a new government are leading to the collapse of other institutions. He also said he hoped the solution to the crisis is not sought out on the streets. “We think you know best what Kosovo needs. The people have voted, you have your representatives and they should find a solution”, Zbogar said, stressing the view that the EU will not intervene to try to resolve the stalemate. However, he said that new elections should be seen as a last resort because a new voting process would cause further delays and damage Kosovo.
Grabovci: Either agreement or new elections (Epoka e Re)
Adem Grabovci, deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said on Thursday that there are two options for Kosovo: a political agreement between the PDK and other political parties or new parliamentary elections. Grabovci said his party does not prefer the second option but it is ready to go into elections if this is required. He also said he hopes President Jahjaga’s efforts to break the political deadlock will be successful.
Issues with judges’ mandates at Constitutional Court (Tribuna)
The paper reports that the Kosovo Ombudsperson has filed a request with the Constitutional Court asking it to review the legality of President Jahjaga’s decision to extend the mandates of local and international judges on the Constitutional Court.
NDI: Jahjaga an inspiration for girls and women (Lajm)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, received an evaluation team from the National Democratic Institute (NDI), consisting of: Meryl Frank, a former US representative to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women; Laura Nichols, NDI Director in Yemen; and Alexander Chavarria, NDI Director in Kosovo. They discussed the participation of women in the electoral process and the importance of advancing women’s participation in politics. President Jahjaga praised the NDI’s role in empowering women in Kosovo and stressed the need for women to be involved in the highest levels of decision-making. The NDI representatives said that, through her direct engagement in women’s empowerment, President Jahjaga serves as an inspiration for girls and women not only in Kosovo but also abroad.
Gabriele Meucci, new head of EULEX (Koha)
Italian diplomat Gabriele Meucci has been appointed as the new head of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX). The European Council issued a press release saying that Meucci will assume his duties on 15 October, replacing former EULEX chief Bernd Borchardt. The press release also notes that the goal of EULEX is to assist and support Kosovo authorities in the rule of law area, especially with respect to the police, justice and customs. The mission, which deployed in Kosovo in 2008, is undergoing a reconfiguration process.
German Embassy: We’re not involved in any scandal (Lajm)
The German Embassy in Kosovo issued a reaction on Thursday denying recent media reports that it is involved in a visa scandal. The reaction noted that the German Embassy is undertaking measures to identify false certificates of visa applicants.
Austrians don’t want Kosovo and Albania in the EU (Kosova Sot)
A poll conducted by the Austrian Center for Foreign Policy shows that the majority of Austrians do not want Kosovo and Albania to join the European Union. The poll shows that Austrians are against further enlargement in general. Eighty-three percent of respondents said they were against Turkey’s membership in the EU, with 63 percent against Kosovo’s membership, 61 percent against Albania, 58 percent against Serbia, 57 percent against Montenegro, 56 percent against the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and 55 percent against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
