UNMIK Headlines 20 November
LDK and PDK agree to form coalition government (dailies)
All dailies report that Hashim Thaci, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), and Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), agreed on Wednesday in the office of Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga to form a coalition government. US Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson was also present at the meeting. Zeri quotes unidentified sources as saying that, according to the agreement, the LDK will support Thaci’s candidacy for President of Kosovo in 2016. Mustafa agreed to enter a coalition with the PDK two hours after he received the support of the LDK General Assembly. “According to the agreement, the LDK will get the post of Prime Minister, while ministries will be divided equally. The ministries will be divided in the next couple of days based on the work of working groups,” a LDK press release said. Kosova Sot quotes sources inside the LDK as saying that the coalition agreement had already been reached during Mustafa’s recent visit to Brussels.
All media cover a press release issued by the Office of the President after the meeting. “President of the Republic of Kosovo, Mrs. Atifete Jahjaga, has received tonight at a joint meeting, upon their request, the President of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Mr. Hashim Thaçi, and President of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Mr. Isa Mustafa, as part of the efforts for creation of institutions of Kosovo. This meeting, by invitation from President Jahjaga, was also attended by the Ambassador of the United States of America, Ms. Tracey Ann Jacobson. At the meeting held at the Office of the President, on the initiative of both leaders, Mr. Thaçi and Mr. Mustafa agreed in principle to the creation of interparty coalition between the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo for the building of the institutions of Republic of Kosovo in conformity with Constitution and the verdicts of the Constitutional Court. Both leaders emphasized their dedication to the fast conclusion of the process of the forming of new institutions based on Constitution, verdicts of Constitutional Court and constitutional principles which guard the multi-ethnic character of the Republic of Kosovo, fulfill the international obligations of law and order and strengthening of Euro-Atlantic path of our country. President Jahjaga, as a factor of unity and guarantor of the democratic functioning of the institutions of Kosovo will continue to play the facilitators role in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo on this process,” the press release said.
Brovina ready to call Assembly session (Zeri)
Flora Brovina, chairperson of the Kosovo Assembly’s inaugural session, said on Wednesday that she has requested the continuation of the inaugural session. “The session will be called very soon. I have already called the Assembly administration to make the preparations,” Brovina said.
Cliff: Assembly session to be held as soon as possible (Epoka e Re)
Ian Cliff, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Kosovo, told Radio Dukagjini on Wednesday that internationals would not interfere in the creation of the new institutions. He said it is up to the coalition of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) to decide who is going to be Prime Minister and how the new government will look. Cliff also said the inaugural session of the Assembly should be held as soon as possible.
Osmani: Coalition with PDK sends LDK into abyss (Kosova Sot)
Vjosa Osmani, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) official who garnered the second highest number of votes in the last elections, said on Wednesday she is against a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Osmani made these remarks before LDK and PDK leaders made public their coalition agreement.
Krasniqi feels betrayed by Mustafa and Haradinaj (Kosova Sot)
Jakup Krasniqi, chairman of the National Council of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), said on Wednesday that he feels betrayed by Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Isa Mustafa and Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj. Krasniqi said he tried to reach a stable and reliable agreement but that actions by Mustafa and Haradinaj are making him think that corrupt practices are being installed in Kosovo.