Headlines - 26.02.2016

Kosovo Assembly to vote on new president today (Koha Ditore)

On the front page the paper observes that the ruling coalition between the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) will try to elect today Hashim Thaci the new president of Kosovo amidst a deep political crisis and tensions. Supporters of the opposition and those of the government have announced they will be present in Pristina at the time the Assembly is expected to vote on Thaci’s candidacy. The opposition is protesting against his election and is calling for the government to step down while the government supporters plan to come to Pristina to celebrate Thaci’s possible election. The gathering of the supporters of the two blocs was cause for alarm for the international community which called on the parties to refrain from violence and not provoke the situation. At the same time, President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga said the responsibility for any potential act of violence today will fall on the political leaders. The Assembly session is set to begin today at 11.00 hrs.

Thaci calls on his supporters to celebrate at home (Kosovapress)

The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Hashim Thaci, after a working dinner with the leadership, MPs and the General Council of his party, appealed to his supporters through Facebook to celebrate on Friday at home, together with their families, on the occasion of his election for the president of Kosovo. He wrote that there will be no violence or confrontation in the streets. “We should have a normal day tomorrow and a dignified celebration. I, kneeling with the greatest respect for each of you, invite you to celebrate at your homes, with your families and show in this manner our political maturity and respect towards the institution for which we fought together in war and peace,” Thaci wrote. “Tomorrow is the day when Kosovo will prove to the entire world that it respects its institutions, Constitution and democratic processes. I will always be with you and by your side. We have made a long and successful journey together. The future will be even more challenging, but together, we will achieve everything. We have won the freedom and independence together, and together we will integrate Kosovo in the EU and NATO. Tomorrow the world will be looking at us, let us show statehood and civic maturity,” Thaci wrote.

Grabovci: Thaci has the necessary votes to become president (Zeri)

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) parliamentary group chief, Adem Grabovci, said yesterday that the PDK leader Hashim Thaci has the necessary votes to be elected Kosovo president and that Friday will be a day of celebrations in Kosovo. “I call on the opposition parties on Friday to allow their MPs to express their will and I am very sure the majority of them will vote Thaci for president, because Thaci is the most adequate man,” said Grabovci. 

Kurti: We are for new elections (Epoka e Re)

Former leader of the Vetevendosje movement, Albin Kurti, said in an interview for the paper that the opposition is not causing violence. He said that the Association/Community for Serb-majority Municipalities is violent. He said that through protests, opposition is requesting extraordinary elections and end of the efforts to resurrect the Association/Community for Serb-majority Municipalities which, according to him, died with the verdict of the Constitutional Court and massive protests. Kurti said that Kosovo needs a new Assembly which would elect the new president and new governance after free parliamentary elections. 

Serbian List to vote for Thaci (Lajmi)

Citing unidentified sources within the government, the news site reports that the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Isa Mustafa, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Hashim Thaci and Serbian List MPs held a meeting yesterday where they agreed to jointly proceed with the election of the president on Friday, according to the coalition agreement. 

Kuci: No court will be able to overturn Thaci’s election (Klan Kosova)

Minister of Justice Hajredin Kuci said in an interview for Klan Kosova that if the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Hashim Thaci is elected president of Kosovo, no court will be able to overturn his election. “Hashim Thaci could be challenged before the Constitutional Court, he will be challenged throughout his five years in office, but we will be careful and not allow any court in the world to overthrow Thaci,” said Kuci.

Engel: Kosovo political parties must renounce violence (Zeri/VoA)

The United States Congressman Eliot Engel in an interview for Voice of America urged politicians in Kosovo to renounce violence. According to him, the use of violence makes it difficult for the United States to support Kosovo to join international organizations. "Violence in Kosovo Assembly, burning cars and offices is not good for Kosovo. When people like me protect Kosovo saying that it is a democracy and we should support it, there are others who say that violence is not democracy. Therefore I am worried about this," Engel said.