Opposition to protest on 19 March (Epoka e Re)
Citing a source from the opposition, the paper reports that the leaders of the three opposition parties have decided to hold the next protest against the government on 19 March. They will announce the date of the protest at a press conference in Pristina today. Albin Kurti (Vetevendosje), Muharrem Nitaj (AAK) and Zafir Berisha (NISMA) said on Thursday that the opposition is more united than ever to oppose the government.
Thaci’s election might be sent today to the Constitutional Court (Express)
The Vetevendosje Movement is expected to address the Constitutional Court on Friday over the legality of Hashim Thaci’s election as President of Kosovo. Vetevendosje’s Yll Hoxha said that the request to the court will include “a wide range of violations made during the process of the election of the President”. Among the key violations, Hoxha mentioned the violence used during the election and the expulsion of ten opposition MPs from the Assembly session. Hoxha further argued that this process could result in early parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Pristina-based news site Lajmi quotes an expert on constitutional issues, Riza Smaka, as saying that there were 23 violations during Thaci’s election for President.
Kuci and Hoxhaj replace Thaci in government (Epoka e Re)
Based on a source within the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the paper reports that the two positions carried by Hashim Thaci at the government prior to being elected for President, will be filled in very soon by his two closest associates, Hajredin Kuci and Enver Hoxhaj. Kuci will be nominated in the position of the Deputy Prime Minister, leaving his position at the Ministry of Justice, while Hoxhaj will replace Thaci at the position of the Foreign Minister.
Delawie discusses with Ternava religious extremism (Zeri)
The U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, met on Thursday with Mufti Naim Ternava to discuss religious pluralism, including the efforts of the government of Kosovo to make significant changes on the Law for the Freedom of Religions. All religions are expected to profit from this Law. They also discussed help of the Islamic Community of Kosovo in combating religious extremism.
Kosovo government plays two cards in relations with UNMIK (Koha)
The paper reports on its leading front-page story that the Kosovo government continues to play two cards when it comes to cooperating with the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK). The paper recalls that last year, the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs tried to give UNMIK a role in shortening the application procedures for Kosovo’s eventual membership of the UNESCO. The paper has learned that the position of heads of institutions is to avoid meetings with UNMIK officials as much as possible. “However, only in February, UNMIK chief [Zahir Tanin] has met three ministers of the Kosovo government. The UNMIK office in Pristina has denied rumors that the mission is trying to change its mandate. Local experts of international relations meanwhile are arguing that the idea of UNMIK’s revival is a result of constant crisis and the inabilities of Kosovo’s institutions,” the paper notes.
