Headlines - 15.05.2017

• LDK against the idea of a broad pre-election coalition (Koha Ditore)
• Veseli: Elections came as consequence of Mustafa’s failure (Epoka e Re)
• Haradinaj: Internationals to settle Kosovo-Serbia outstanding issues (Koha)
• Xharra in a stable condition following assault (Koha/Insajderi)
• Hoyt hopes new Kosovo prime minister will ratify demarcation (Lajmi)
• Rakic blames EU for murders in the north (Zëri) 

Kosovo Media Highlights

LDK against the idea of a broad pre-election coalition (Koha Ditore)

The paper reports on the front page that negotiations between political parties on possible pre-election coalitions have taken on an accelerated pace but that no result has so far been achieved mainly due to the fact that large parties prefer striking deals with “small” parties. Officials at the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) said that they would prefer to reach agreement with Behgjet Pacolli’s New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) or the newly-formed Alternative but ruled out the possibility of entering any pre-election campaign with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Vetevendosje and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). And although not yet official, sources told the paper that LDK is expected to announce a pre-election coalition with the Alternative founded by Ilir Deda and Mimoza Kusari-Lila.

Veseli: Elections came as consequence of Mustafa’s failure (Epoka e Re)

Kadri Veseli, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), said on Sunday in Mitrovica that the reason for the decision to go for new elections on 11 June is not political, nor is PDK to be blamed for it, but it is due to the failure of Isa Mustafa’s leadership. He added that the government did not fulfill the needs of the people. 

Haradinaj: Internationals to settle Kosovo-Serbia outstanding issues (Koha)

At a gathering in Podujevo, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) leader, Ramush Haradinaj, called on the international community to settle outstanding issues between Kosovo and Serbia. He said the EU and the U.S. should turn their attention towards Albanian-Serb relations and “finish business in the Balkans”. He said Serbia was stocking up on weapons while Kosovo is not being allowed to have its own army. “We want to warn everyone not to leave us in this situation”, he added. 

Xharra in a stable condition following assault (Koha/Insajderi)

The former journalist now member of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Arbana Xharra, is reported to have sustained no serious injuries when attacked by unknown persons near her home in Pristina. The attack was condemned by political representatives in Kosovo as well as representatives of the international community including EU Representative Nataliya Apostolova, U.S. Ambassador Greg Delawie, and head of UNMIK Zahir Tanin who tweeted that he wished Xharra a speedy recovery and that perpetrators of the attack should “face full strength of law”.

Hoyt hopes new Kosovo prime minister will ratify demarcation (Lajmi)

The U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Hoyt Yee, said in a forum on regional security in Budva, Montenegro, that he hoped the future prime minister of Kosovo would have more courage  for approving the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro.

Rakic blames EU for murders in the north (Zëri)

Violence in Mitrovica north continued also during this weekend, the paper reports. Another person was killed on Friday at a cafeteria in “Bosniak Mahala”, only two days after the murder which happened at “Filip Visnjic” street. A Serb man is suspected of killing 57 year-old Murat Kuçi from the Bosniak community. Mayor of Mitrovica North, Goran Rakic, accused the European Union after Kuçi’s murder for not taking into consideration his recommendation to increase measures in this part of the city. We have requested for several months now first of all from the EU, then from EULEX, KFOR and Kosovo Police to increase patrols and security measures in general,” Rakic said. The EU Office in Pristina harshly condemned the tragic case and requested from security bodies to create conditions for normal life for the people. Head of Administrative Office of Kosovo in the north Adriana Hodzic and Mayor of southern Mitrovica Agim Bahtiri also condemned the incident.