UNMIK Headlines 1 July
Entity with majority in Assembly to try and form new government (Koha)
According to a source, the Constitutional Court has ruled that the President of Kosovo can propose a candidate for Prime Minister only in consultations with the party or coalition that has won the majority in the Assembly of Kosovo, the paper reports on its front page. The source added that this right is not extended to post-election coalitions. The Constitutional Court yesterday announced it had reached a decision on President Atifete Jahjaga’s request for interpretation of the two relevant articles of the Constitution, but noted that it would only make its ruling public in the coming days. A source from the Court told the paper that the verdict is expected to be announced on Tuesday or Wednesday. The source dismissed media reports suggesting that the Court had rushed to a verdict without election results being certified first. “The Court has not interpreted the results of elections because that is not its job”, the source added.
Ashton rejects possibility of EU imposing new government (Lajm)
The team of the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Catherine Ashton, has rejected any possibility of Brussels getting involved in the naming of a candidate for new Kosovo government. Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for the EU High Representative, has dismissed reports in certain Kosovo media about the existence of an envelope containing the name of the future Prime Minister which the EU would deliver to Kosovo leaders. “These are useless speculations,” stated Kocijancic, adding that the EU considers the creation of a Kosovo government to be an internal matter for Kosovo.
Opposition coalition moves towards joint positions (Koha Ditore)
Leaders of political parties that have joined in a post-election coalition have not managed to pass the second stage of their talks for the formation of a new government despite a meeting yesterday at the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) headquarters. However, opposition political leaders did say that they have moved towards joint positions with regards to the conditions put forth by Vetevendosje in exchange for its support to the new government. “I am very optimistic about the result of these talks that will continue over the coming days”, said Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti after the meeting. The opposition’s candidate for Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, said it is possible to find common ground between the parties. The leaders said they are determined to prevent a third mandate for the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and stressed that none of them will respond to a possible invitation from PDK to form a new government.
Hoxhaj: No red lines for coalition (Epoka e Re)
The deputy leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Enver Hoxhaj, stated that his party does not have any red lines for coalitions with any other parties. “We are open to working with all political parties,” said Hoxhaj.
Tahiri: Serbia agreed to remove barricade (Epoka e Re)
Kosovo’s Deputy Prime Minister, Edita Tahiri, stated that, based on communications and information from Brussels, Serbia has agreed in principle to remove the barricade from the River Ibër/Ibar. She informed that she will visit Brussels in the coming weeks to discuss the removal of the barricade and implementation of the 19 April Agreement with representatives of the Office of Baroness Catherine Ashton.
22 June protest condemned (Zeri)
In an extraordinary session, the Mitrovica Municipality condemned the protest of 22 June which resulted in several policemen and citizens sustaining minor injuries. The protest was condemned unanimously by all municipal deputies and they also requested the removal of the “Peace Park” barricade.
ECAP orders CEC to recount votes at 51 polling centers (Epoka e Re)
The Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) has ordered the Central Election Commission (CEC) to recount votes at 38 polling stations for the candidates of certain political parties, while all votes have to be recounted at 13 polling stations. ECAP reached this decision based on complaints that mainly came from candidates of political parties. The head of ECAP, Shukri Sylejmani, said they had received 61 complaints of which 24 were approved as grounded.
GAP proposes reduction of ministerial posts (Lajm)
The Kosovo-based Institute for Advanced Studies (GAP) has published an analysis on the restructuring of the Kosovo government, in which it proposes a reduction of ministerial posts. GAP also makes proposals on how to have a less expensive and more efficient government. According to the proposed model, the new government would consist of a small number of ministries.