Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj writes in his opinion piece that the European Commission expressed serious concerns in its last Progress Report on Kosovo over the politicization of public administration and the increase of salaries on the eve of elections. Officials in Brussels notice that Kosovo is not investing in sustainable economic development that would create jobs but is rather increasing public spending. Palokaj argues that based on the circumstances and needs, the government of Kosovo should not have more than 14 members. “If Isa Mustafa, the future Prime Minister of Kosovo, does not greatly reduce the number of ministers in his government, he will prove that nothing has changed from the past [referring to the previous government that numbered 23 members]. He will also show a great deal of irresponsibility toward the people. The number of ministers is the only the tip of the iceberg … because it is followed by an army of advisors, secretaries, drivers, bodyguards, vehicles, per diems and travel costs. There are many unnecessary ministries in the government of Kosovo. From Brussels’s standpoint, it is very clear that the government in Pristina doesn’t need at least two ministries that have elements of foreign policy: the Ministry of European Integration and the Ministry of Diaspora. This is not to say that Kosovo should not treat approximation with the European Union as a priority or that it should not care for its great diaspora, but that these tasks can be carried out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other line ministries … All formal procedures and contacts with the EU should be coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which can also have a special department on European integration … Isa Mustafa and his new partner, Hashim Thaci, are faced with the test of building an efficient government in the service of the people. Hopes however are not high based on what we’re hearing about negotiations for the formation of the government. There is no talk about programs or priorities of the new government, but rather about names and who will get what. In developed and responsible countries, partners in government first decide on the programs and then about names”.
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