Headlines - 09.02.2016

US: Early elections would not change the government (Koha)

The paper reports on its front page that the United States of America still hopes that dialogue between Kosovo’s political leaders will result in a solution to the current crisis. US officials also argue that even if early elections were to be held, the new government would not look much different from the current one. Philip Drewry, spokesman for the United States Embassy in Pristina told the paper on Monday that the dialogue initiated by President Atifete Jahjaga must continue. “First of all, we commend President Jahjaga and the leaders of political parties for getting together today in efforts to find a solution to the current political stalemate. We also call on political parties to continue dialogue in order to find a road forward that would best serve the interests of the people of Kosovo,” he said. “There is no alternative to dialogue and compromise. Ultimatums, violence and political tricks will only make the situation worse. Public polls show that even if new elections were to be held the new government would look almost the same as the current government. Meanwhile, the time and energy that would be spent [in elections] are desperately needed for more urgent priorities such as combating corruption and economic development”. Asked what public polls he was referring to, Drewry said the US Embassy has access to a number of credible polls that are not public.

Jahjaga thanks leaders for attending her meeting (RTK)

President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga thanked the leaders of the political parties who accepted her invitation to take part in the meeting aimed at re-establishing the dialogue between the government and opposition parties. In a statement issued by Jahjaga’s office, political leaders are said to have expressed their viewpoints for overcoming the political blockade and expressed their readiness to look for a common solution.

Veseli: People expect a solution from elected representatives (media)

Kosovo Assembly President Kadri Veseli said on Monday that the meeting between President Atifete Jahjaga and political leaders is a positive step and that dialogue is the only way to overcome the current situation. Veseli praised Jahjaga on her initiative to gather the leaders and encouraged her to continue facilitating the dialogue between the ruling and opposition parties. “Institutional dialogue is the only way our country can move forward,” Veseli was quoted as saying.

Mustafa: Opposition better admit it rallies behind false cause (Kosovapress)

Prime Minister of Kosovo Isa Mustafa in a Facebook post called on the opposition to admit it is rallying behind a false cause and return to the Assembly. “Kosovo does not deserve violence,” said Mustafa stressing that Kosovo needs a democratic opposition and not one that throws Molotov cocktails at the “sons and daughters of this country.”

Ymeri: Protests will resolve Kosovo crisis (Zeri)

Vetevendosje leader Visar Ymeri said that the solution to the current political crisis cannot be found in meetings behind closed doors but in citizen resistance out on the streets. In a press conference yesterday, Ymeri did not directly comment on the decision of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader Ramush Haradinaj to take part in the meeting called by President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga, but noted that such meetings are damaging. However, said Ymeri, cooperation between the opposition parties will continue for as long as it focuses on resistance and the demand for the current government to step down.

“Elections, the only way out from the crisis” (Epoka e Re)

The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, Visar Ymeri and the leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj, said on Monday that the ruling coalition cannot remain in power and that they should not hope for some kind of an agreement that would keep them there. “The current coalition government cannot regain its lost legitimacy through the table but only through free democratic elections,” Limaj said. Ymeri told reporters that “the country needs changes which would return the institutions to the interest and will of the people of Kosovo”.

Fule: Assembly should not be the place of military manoeuvres (Epoka e Re)

Former EU Commissioner for Enlargement and current Emissary of the Czech Republic for Balkans, Stefan Fule, said during his visit to Kosovo on Monday that he is concerned with the internal political developments. He said that the Kosovo Assembly should not be a place for “military manoeuvres” but rather a place of debate where problems are solved. Fule met with the Minister for European Integration, Bekim Collaku, and they discussed the important developments related to Kosovo’s European agenda and liberalization of visas. Stefan Fule offered support of the Czech Republic for visa liberalization. Fule met also with Principal Deputy Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

European Commission concerned over politicization of boards (Koha)

In a front-page story, the paper reports that in a letter to civil society organizations in Kosovo, European Commissioner Johannes Hahn expressed his concern over the politicization of the boards of some independent agencies and regulatory bodies in Kosovo. The letter, which was sent on Hahn’s behalf by another EC official David Cullen, notes that there would be increased monitoring on this issue within the institutional structures of the Stabilization/Association Process. The paper recalls that three civil society organizations from Pristina – the GAP Institute, INDEP and the Group for Legal and Political Studies – sent a letter to Hahn complaining about the politicization of the boards of publicly-owned enterprises and independent agencies. The letter was sent after the Kosovo government refused to annul decisions for the appointment of political persons in the boards.