Jahjaga initiates meeting of all political leaders (Tribuna)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, is expected to undertake a final round of talks with political leaders, but unlike the previous times when she met them individually, Jahjaga now hopes to bring them together at one table. The aim of the joint meeting is to foster dialogue between the post-election coalition and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and see whether there is actually any room for compromise. Jahjaga will try to encourage the leaders to reach an agreement and avoid announcing new elections.
Why did Jahjaga cancel her visit to Brussels? (Lajm)
Sources close to the Office of the President told the paper that Atifete Jahjaga cancelled a visit to Brussels because a political turnaround is expected in the next couple of days in Kosovo. Sources also told the paper about three possible scenarios that can happen this week: 1. The coalition bloc could agree to give up on the post of Assembly Speaker, agree to vote in favor of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) candidate, and then focus on the post of Prime Minister; 2. There are talks for a coalition between the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the PDK, whereby both parties would agree on a candidate for Prime Minister, excluding party leaders Thaci and Mustafa from the race. Such a coalition would enjoy strong support from the international community; 3. If these two scenarios fail, President Jahjaga will announce early elections.
Kosovo Election Commission preparing for early elections (Zeri)
In a front-page story, the paper quotes unidentified sources as saying that the Central Election Commission (CEC) is already preparing for early parliamentary elections. Sources said that CEC chairperson Valdete Daka has recently met with senior state officials and international representatives to discuss the eventual organization of new elections.
Civil society to ask President to allow bloc to form institutions (Koha)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, will receive in November a petition organized by civil society activists calling on her to allow the group with the majority of MPs to form the new institutions. Civil society representatives said on Monday they have already launched the signing of the petition and that it will be ready in November. The Office of the President did not say if Jahjaga will consider the petition. “We don’t prejudge possible situations,” Jahjaga’s spokesman Arber Vllahiu told the paper.
EU supports EULEX (Tribuna)
The European Union fully supports the head of EULEX and refuses to comment on media reports alleged to originate from the mission’s offices, said Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the EU High Representative, Catherine Ashton. Kocijancic added that it would be up to judicial authorities to tackle cases of possible wrongdoing and not public opinion. However, an unnamed European official admitted that Brussels is aware of corruption allegations in EULEX and that there is already an internal investigation underway.
Prosecutor Bamieh warns about shocks in EULEX (Koha)
The paper reports on the front page that prosecutor Maria Bamieh promises to turn into another Julian Assange. Bamieh told the paper she will reveal information from EULEX that will cause tremors in the European Union. Bamieh has been suspended from the post of EULEX prosecutor for cooperating with the paper. The decision for her suspension was signed by EULEX chief Gabriele Meucci before the paper published a report about corruption affairs involving senior EULEX officials. “So far I have not talked to the media about anything, but if I get suspended and threatened, then I am entitled to challenge this, and I will reveal information. If they want to turn me into another Julian Assange I will act that way,” Bamieh told the paper.
IMF: Deadlock damaging Kosovo (Zeri)
The paper reports on the front page that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission in Kosovo does not support statements by outgoing Prime Minister Hashim Thaci to increase the salaries of civil servants by 25 percent starting from next year. The IMF notes that the Kosovo budget cannot cover these expenses. “In the last couple of years, salaries were raised but clearly to the detriment of… infrastructure,” Jacques Miniane, head of the IMF mission in Kosovo, told the paper. He also said that the political deadlock is having negative effects on Kosovo’s economy.
Cliff: No reconciliation and peace without communication (Epoka e Re)
The British Ambassador to Kosovo, Ian Cliff, said on Monday that initiatives for reconciliation and peace are impossible without communication. Cliff said the British Embassy is involved in bringing communities together and assisting the reconciliation process. “We still have a long way to go,” Cliff said.
Jahjaga condemns stabbing of reporter (Lajm)
The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, reacted towards the case of the attempted murder of a journalist from Klan Kosova, Milot Hasimja, saying that there is no room in Kosovo for acts that violate freedom of expression and the integrity of our publicsphere. Jahjaga wished Hasimja a speedy recovery.
