Headlines - 20.06.2017

• Mustafa: No coalition with PDK (media)
• LDK against coalition with PAN (Zeri)
• PAN keeps secret name of Assembly President, Serbs aim for the post (Koha)
• Sejdiu: We won’t join PAN coalition in forming a new government (Epoka)
• Zogaj: We won’t unite with those that brought down the government (Bota)
• CEC orders recount of 280 ballot boxes (dailies)
• NATO: KSF transformation following constitutional changes (Zeri)

Mustafa: No coalition with PDK (media)

Several online media report that Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader and outgoing Prime Minister, Isa Mustafa, wrote on his Facebook account that his party would not join a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). “The LDK is not a party that acts according to conditions or individual blackmails. The LDK’s position is clear: we will not join a coalition with the PDK or any coalition that includes the PDK. We will discuss with others after the certification of results, but we will always keep the interest of LDK voters in mind,” Mustafa wrote.

LDK against coalition with PAN (Zeri)

The paper reports on the front page that despite discouraging election results, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is being viewed as a decisive factor for the forming of the new government of Kosovo. However, the party vows not to repeat the history of 2014 when it joined a coalition government with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). LDK deputy leader, Lutfi Haziri, told the paper that although they have not entered any talks for a possible coalition, forming the government with the PAN coalition will not be on the discussion table.

PAN keeps secret name of Assembly President, Serbs aim for the post (Koha)

The coalition consisting of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), which won the 11 June parliamentary elections, are not revealing the name of their candidate for the post of Assembly President, saying this is not their priority for the time being. PDK deputy leader, Memli Krasniqi, told the paper on Monday that the post belongs only to those that won the elections. “We have yet to discuss different posts, as this is not a priority issue for us … As far as the post of the Assembly President is concerned, the issue is clarified by the ruling of the Constitutional Court and the post belongs only to the winner of the elections, namely our coalition,” Krasniqi said. The paper notes that the Serbian List has also expressed its ambitions to take over the post of Assembly President in exchange for its votes to form a new government.

Sejdiu: We won’t join PAN coalition in forming a new government (Epoka)

In a front-page interview for the paper, New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) deputy leader, Korab Sejdiu, ruled out the possibility of his party joining the PAN coalition in forming a new government. Sejdiu said the AKR would not change its position and that it would remain faithful to the coalition with the LDK, Alternativa and the Justice Movement. “We will not join forces with those that have brought Kosovo to this point,” he said. Sejdiu also said he hopes an agreement will be reached with the Vetevendosje Movement to form a new government.

Zogaj: We won’t unite with those that brought down the government (Bota Sot)

Besa Zogaj-Gashi, MP candidate from the LDK and outgoing Deputy Minister for Economic Development, told the paper in a front-page interview that the LDK will not join forces “with those that brought down the Isa Mustafa-led government” referring to the PDK. Zogaj-Gashi argued that the PDK lost the elections because of “the war they waged against the LDK”. Zogaj-Gashi failed to secure enough votes to become an MP, but said she would continue her political activity, focusing on the empowerment of youth and women.

CEC orders recount of 280 ballot boxes (dailies)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has ordered the recount of 280 ballot boxes after recommendation from the Counts and Results Centre. According to Zeri, there is a total of 425 ballot boxes that have so far been sent for recount and adds that this could delay the certification of the final election results.

NATO: KSF transformation following constitutional changes (Zeri)

NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Operations, John Manza, said yesterday in Pristina that transformation of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) into an armed force can be done only following constitutional changes and in coordination with groups which have opposed the move so far. He said the transformation process should not be undertaken in haste but “slowly and confidently”. “Quick moves like that months ago could impair the process and although it will be a lengthy one, it needs to be done through constitutional changes”, Manza said.