Daka: Part of diaspora will not be able to vote
(Most monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
The Central Elections Commission (CEC) chairperson, Valdeta Daka said that organisations of early elections was challenging, taking into consideration the short deadlines.
In an interview for Radio Free Europe, she admitted that a part of Kosovo diaspora will not be able to vote, stressing that CEC should not be blamed for it. Daka, said that legal deadlines were short while the legal procedures required more time.
Kurti: We will annul the Agreement on Association
(RTK1)
Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) candidate for Prime Minister, Albin Kurti said that if VV wins elections, it will recognize the right to referendum through which citizens themselves would decide for important issues.
According to Kurti, they will also send the Agreement of 19 April 2013 at the Venice Commission and would also annul the Agreement on establishment of the Association of Serb Majority Municipalities.
Thaçi: My recent visits are not campaign related
(Klan Kosova)
Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi said that his recent visits throughout Kosovo are not campaign related. In fact, he says that he is not nostalgic at all about electoral campaigns.
According to Thaçi, the aim of these visits is to call on citizens to vote on 11 June early elections.
Thaçi, in Klan Kosova “Election Analysis” show conveyed a message to all who criticized him following these visits.
“For many others, it is good that I am not running,” said Thaçi. He said that every time he was running in electoral campaigns he kept his word and promises he made.
Thaçi announced that he is closely following the pre-electoral campaign of political leaders and stressed that he did noted some changes.
“I am happy to see changes. For example, those who were against the dialogue with Serbia, during the last seven days, have turned into supporters of dialogue. I believe that this is emancipation. Those who in the past only talked about political issues now try tackling issues on what doctors, farmers and pupils need,” said Thaçi.
According to Thaçi, the new Government and MPs will have to finalize several important issues.
“We should conclude visa liberalisation process. Out of 95 criteria, Kosovo has fulfilled 94 criteria. The issue of demarcation should be concluded in a joint process of the political spectrum,” said Thaçi.
President Thaçi also commended the discourse of politicians during this time and appraised the media for providing space to politicians to disclose their ideas.
Civil society against privileges of former high officials
(TV21)
Despite the fact that they might not be elected again as Assembly Speaker, Prime Minister or Minister, thanks to the Law on benefits to former high officials, all of them are entitled to 70 % of their base salary for the rest of their life, including additional benefits.
Albert Krasniqi of Kosovo Democratic Institute, who monitors the work of the Assembly, said that it’s not worth for former high officials to have other positions after their mandate ends, as they will not be entitled to these privileges.
“Kadri Veseli, as former Assembly Speaker, will enjoy 70 % of his base salary for the rest of his life and Isa Mustafa as a former Prime Minister will enjoy same benefits, including additional benefits stipulated in the Law on Benefits to Former High Officials. After their mandate ends, they have no interests to have other positions in public institutions due to the benefits that are entitled according to this law,’ said Krasniqi, stressing that the privileges they enjoy are too much.
Former Members of Assembly, who fail to be re-elected for another term, are entitled to receive their full salary for another year.
‘For 12 months they will receive the base MP salary, excluding per diems or other compensations,” said Krasniqi.
Arton Demhasi of Çohu NGO considers these privileges as unfair to Kosovo taxpayers.
Role of women in media discussed
(RTK1)
Within the framework of Balkan Youth Forum, the Austrian Foundation Konrad Adenauer in cooperation with JEF-Kosovo organized a conference on the topic ‘Women in media’.
Elvana Prekazi from Kosovo public broadcaster – RTK, said that this institution provides adequate space to women.
“36 % per cent of RTK editors are women, including appointment of women key decision-making positions. RTK is a leader among public institutions in this sector,” said Prekazi.
The conference was attended by representatives from Serbia, Bulgaria, and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and some other countries.
Journalist Sasa Djuric from Serbia said that these seminars are important for normalisation of relations between the youth from Balkans.
This activity, which started on Thursday, aimed to empower women’s role in society.
