Analysts consider early elections inevitable, CEC ready for them
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
It seems that early elections are inevitable in order for the current Kosovo political deadlock to end. This is at least what political analysts in the country think about this matter. According to them, this is because political parties which have divided into blocks are not withdrawing from their political positions.
Political analyst, Mazllum Baraliu, considers elections as the only real option.
The other analyst, Emrush Ujkani, considers that President Jahjaga should exercise her role and call elections at the earliest time possible.
At the Central Elections Commission (CEC) say that they are ready to organize early elections, in case it is decided to do so. CEC Chairperson Valdete Daka told RTK that all legal and constitutional deadlines must be respected in order for a regular electoral process to happen.
Among others, the analysts consider that if the country enters new elections than greater mobilization is required in the northern part of Mitrovica/Mitrovicë in particular, where Serb locals, pushed by Belgrade, have challenged Kosovo institutions.
On the other hand, CEC chairperson Daka does not consider northern part of Kosovo as an issue, in case elections will potentially happen again.
In an interview with RTK on Saturday, President Jahjaga’s spokesperson Arbër Vllahiu said that in case political leaders do not offer a solution and if there is no other alternative than President Jahjaga might look at the possibility of calling new elections as an alternative for taking the country out of this situation.
Voices in favour of new elections are rising every day on among the Serb community, as well. Organization of a new electoral process is not considered as ‘the end of the world’ by the chair of Progressive Democratic Party Nenad Rasic, who got re-elected at this post on Sunday. Serb citizens of Gracanica/Graçanicë also state the same thing.
Political parties start preparations for potential elections
(Klan Kosova)
Political blocks have started to prepare their strategies and plans on how to approach potential elections. PDK is aiming to enter new elections in coalition with PD, LB, PSHDK and with AKR of Behgjet Pacolli. This was reported by GazetaBlic portal.
On the other hand, LDK-AAK-Nisma për Kosovën and Vetëvendosje Bloc are discussing the ideas how to enter elections. Sources within this Bloc said that the idea that the four parties run with a single election list is being discussed. In case there will be new elections, LDK and AAK parties that are in coalition with PDK in municipalities will leave these coalitions.
However, Vetëvendosje does not support this idea. If new elections will happen, Albin Kurti’s political entity will compete with its own political programme, as the very nature of elections is a competition of programs and not parties. This was stated by VV spokesperson Erzen Vraniqi.
Graffiti in Decani Monastery incites reactions
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
Unidentified persons inscribed graffiti in the walls of Decani Monastery reading “Caliphate”, “ISIS” and “KLA”. This has incited the reaction of country institutions.
The Acting Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi condemned this incident saying that graffiti with such messages are also against the holiest values of the war for liberation of Kosovo.
“The hand of that person that writes ISIS and KLA at the same sentence is not a hand of a person that wants something good to Albanians, minorities and Kosovo,” reads the PM Thaçi’s reaction.
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) also strongly condemns the misuse of KLA name by certain groups with ignoble intention of spotting its values.
“Today’s graffiti inscribed by unidentified persons in Decani Monastery walls that aim to identify KLA with foreign terrorist organizations have explicit tendencies, they are against Albanians and their fair and just fight for liberation made by the people and KLA,” the AAK press statement reads.
Selimi: Americans interested in solution of Kosovo political situation
(RTK1)
Americans are also interested for solution of political situation in the country. They told this to deputy foreign minister Petrit Selimi, who had several meetings with senior officials of the US Department of State in Washington.
“I believe that the United States are supporting Kosovo by not interfering directly, but through empowering the stakeholders that we have here in identifying a solution,” Selimi told RTK.
Selimi said that Americans support Jahjaga in her efforts to identify a solution. He said that no one wants elections, but a solution must be found for the deadlock.
