President Thaçi sets 22 October as local election date
(All monitored broadcasters, RTK1)
On October 22 the citizens of Kosovo will turn to the ballot boxes again, but this time for local elections.
This was decided the President Hashim Thaçi after the meeting with representatives of political parties in Kosovo.
This date came as a proposal by almost the majority of political representatives, and the reason was that the election process should be held by summer time.
Thaçi said that Kosovo has already installed the tradition of democratic elections, and this was also proved in the June 11th early elections.
PSHDK asked the Central Elections Commission to install cameras in the polling stations in order to monitor any movement of polling station committee members and observers.
Veseli: PAN will form Government, Haradinaj will be Prime Minister
(RTK1)
PDK chairman Kadri Veseli said that Ramush Haradinaj will be the future Prime Minister of Kosovo.
According to him, after certification of election results, the winning coalition PDK-AAK-Nisma will form new institutions, as PDK along with coalition partners are winners of the elections.
Veseli has promised that institutions will be formed soon after the certification of the election result.
“I believe that new institutions will be formed immediately after June 25th,” he said.
VV invites LDK to discuss government before election certification
(RTK1)
The VV leader Visar Ymeri publically invited LDK senior officials to sit and discuss possible cooperation between VV and LDK in constituting governmental institutions. According to him, they do not have to wait for election certification, as certification will hardly cause any changes in the election results. Ymeri’s invitation followed the statement made one day before by the LDK leader Mustafa, who said that cooperation was possible only if a LDK member becomes Prime Minister.
Commenting on Ymeri’s invitation, the LDK vice chairman Lutfi Haziri said that there is no urgency to meet, adding that LDK has the key role in institution building, as it has been the case in the past 27 years.
On the other hand, Imer Mushkolaj, analyst, considers VV’s call to LDK as an effort to constitute new institutions, in case PAN coalition fails. In Mushkolaj’s view, any coalition implies compromise also.
“A compromise is neither Mr Mustafa’s statement that Prime Minister must be from LDK, nor that Mr Kurti must be Prime Minister,” Mushkolaj said.
Fungo: Security situation in Kosovo may turn violent in entire region
(Most monitored broadcasters, TV21)
COMKFOR Giovanni Fungo stated that there are several security challenges in Kosovo, and general situation can turn very fragile and instable for the entire region, with a swift spread of violence.
“On daily basis in Kosovo we are facing political challenges, multi-ethnic tensions, religious extremism, refugee and migrant issues, as well as the Russian influence,” NATO Commander in Kosovo said in the European Parliament – N1Info reported.
The Italian General said that another concerning fact for security is that 366 Islamic warriors from Kosovo have gone to fight beside terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
Kurti to advocate for a commission to review Brussels agreements
(Klan Kosova)
Vetëvendosje nominee for Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, said that if he became Prime Minister, he would advocate for a parliamentary commission that would re-examine Brussels agreements between Prishtinë/Pristina and Belgrade.
He made these comments in an interview with the Belgrade weekly Vreme.
Speaking of dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, Kurti stated that an internal dialogue in both countries is needed and added that he is not against dialogue and reconciliation.
According to him, the dialogue of recent years leaves the impression of normalization of relations, but in essence it just deepens antagonisms, segregation and ethnic divisions.
Prosecutors pledge to prioritise cases dealing with journalist threats
(RTK1)
Cases dealing with threats against journalists will be prioritised. This was stated by prosecutors at a joint conference with journalists, prosecutors, police, and judges. Panellists said that more cooperation was needed in journalist cases.
Vllaznim Surdulli of Kosovo Police said that the Police have been on the lead in terms of transparency and cooperation with journalists.
Prosecutor’s Office, judiciary, and police called for reporting of criminal offences, particularly those committed against journalists, being aware of their sensitive job.
Since 1999, 90 cases have been filed in Prishtinë/Pristina, four in Pejë/Pec, 16 cases in Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, nine cases in Gjilan/Gnjilane, one in Ferizaj/Urosevac and none in Prizren.
At the roundtable, journalists shared their experiences with the justice system, including resolved cases as well as those under proceeding.
Multi-ethnic resource centre for missing persons founded
(All monitored broadcasters, KTV)
Missing persons’ relatives of all communities in Kosovo have joined in order to intensify the work in shedding light on those who are missing, KTV reported.
Representative of missing persons’ relatives in Kosovo, Bajram Qerkini, and Milorad Trifunovic, have established an association for missing persons, called the Resource Centre for Missing Persons.
The goal of the Association is to encourage collaboration amongst families of all communities in Kosovo to work in shedding light on missing persons.
Qerkini called on Prishtinë/Pristina, Belgrade, and the international community to take responsibility for finding their loved ones.
Thaçi extends Daka’s mandate as CEC chairperson
(Klan Kosova)
President Thaçi has decided to extend mandate of the Central Elections Commission (CEC) chairperson, Valdete Daka.
The mandate of CEC’s chairperson was automatically extended for additional 90 days upon certification of final results of the general elections.
This decision is based on the Law on Elections which states that the mandate that expires 90 or fewer days before an election or up to 90 days following the certification of the results of an election shall be automatically extended to 90 days after the certification of the results of an election.
Lekaj: PAN enjoys support by minority communities
(Summary of KTV Rubicon show)
On Wednesday evening, KTV Rubicon show hosted Albulena Haxhiu of Vetëvendosje Movement, Arben Gashi of LDK, Enver Hoti of Nisma për Kosovën and Pal Lekaj of AAK to discuss establishment of new Kosovo institutions.
Lekaj said that PDK-AAK-Nisma (PAN) coalition has the numbers for constituting the new Government. He said that support was gained from minority communities, including Serbs.
“Minorities and Srpska List are in favour of Haradinaj. I believe they have finished the job in meetings with them. Twenty votes, Serbs and other communities,” he said.
Furthermore Lekaj said that Haradinaj as a nominee for Prime Minister has also votes from the parties that, according to him, will be in opposition.
On the other hand, Albulena Haxhiu said that citizens have voted Albin Kurti for Prime Minister and this is a done deal.
“Citizens have voted for Prime Minister. Never before there were three candidates as they were in 11 June. Citizens have voted Albin Kurti,” she told KTV Rubicon show.
In the meantime, Arben Gashi of LDK does not believe that PAN has 61 votes, although he said that all calculations are possible. Nevertheless, he said that political parties have put up their obstacles.
“In these circumstances the country’s future is problematic. Lekaj is saying that PAN coalition has the numbers then let them try and do it. The right to the Assembly Speaker gives them the right to propose and I do not believe they will propose Srpska List,” Gashi stressed.
Gashi said that if he were the LDK chairman, he would discuss on different terms with Vetëvendosje.
“If I were the LDK chairman I would normally discuss, but I would discuss on different terms. Not on terms who is the Prime Minister, give me the PM, I will give you the PM… I do not think that this is the language that needs to be used, it is outdated,” he said.
Gashi said that he would speak about the ways how as a coalition they would solve Demarcation, Association and talks with Serbia.
Enver Hoti of Nisma për Kosovën believes that Srpska List might be powerful in the new government.
“The will of political parties must be greater than the blockades of Srpska List,” he considers.
Albulena Haxhiu of VV said it is not true that Srpska List must necessarily be part of government. Addressing Pal Lekaj, she emphasised that PAN is ready to do anything, including a coalition with Srpska List, provided that Haradinaj becomes Prime Minister.
Arben Gashi of LDK presented what he called, the last scenario for forming government. According to him, LDK is willing to support VV with 30 votes, with the condition that the latter can resolve five Kosovo issues within six months.
