LOCAL PRESS

 

Vucic, Voutsis: Tsipras’ visit new impetus to cooperation (Tanjug)

 

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and the Greek parliament speakerNikos Voutsis agreed Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras’ upcoming visit to Serbia, scheduled for late January, would be an additional impetus to the good relations between the two countries. Vucic and Voutsis discussed the relations between the two countries and ways of strengthening the economic cooperation, as well as the regional situation. Vucic expressed gratitude for Greece's support for Serbia’s European path and its principled and consistent position of non-recognition of the unilaterally declared independence of Kosovo. “Serbia attaches great significance to the relations with Greece, which are based on the firm friendship between the two nations. We must work on boosting our trade because there is much untapped potential,” Vucic noted.

 

Djuric: Serb representatives should not collude with Albanians (RTS)

 

The Head of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Marko Djuric said in connection with Maric’s dismissal that Serb representatives should sit down and talk about how problems should be resolved, but not by colluding with Albanians, with Kosovo President Hashim Tachi and Prime Minister Mustafa. Djuric called on political representatives who negotiated Maric’s dismissal on behalf of the Serbs – to recall the decision. “I also call on the madam who was appointed by Isa Mustafa to the post of the provincial minister not to accept this appointment,” said Djuric.

 

Stojanovic: Serb list to investigate the matter (RTS)

 

Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Branimir Stojanovic stated in connection with Maric’s dismissal that it is sad that politicking continues, and that the stipulations of the coalition agreement are not being implemented. He added that the Serb List would investigate the matter, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for individuals or any smaller groups to place their own interests ahead of the interest of the entire Serb List and the interests of the Serb people. Stojanovic said that “those who took part in this on the side of the Serb list will be unscathed, they will certainly suffer consequences because of their autonomous action and without consultation with the entire Serb List.” The Serb List called on Mirjana Jevtic, which is its representative in the government, to refuse the appointment and therefore “thwart Mustafa’s attempt to weaken the Serb people in Kosovo by following the divide-and-conquer principle.”

 

Office for Kosovo and Metohija condemns attack on two Serbs (RTS/Tanjug)

 

The Office for Kosovo and Metohija most harshly condemns the almost fatal attack on two Serbs in the Klokot municipality, for which a group of Albanians are responsible, according to the testimonies of one of the wounded. Experience has shown that national tensions in Kosovo and Metohija escalate together with the strengthening of anti-Serb political rhetoric in the provisional self-government institutions in Pristina, where there is obviously no sincere majority determination for creating a multi-ethnic society.

 

Suspects for attack on Serbs in Kosovo arrested (Novosti)

 

Kosovo police arrested four people on Sunday suspected of taking part in a fight on Saturday evening in the village of Grncar, municipality of Klokot, when two Serbs were stabbed with a knife, news agencies reported. Two Albanians from the village of Gornja Stubla and one Serb were arrested in the afternoon, all between the age of 20 and 30, while earlier another Albanian was arrested for taking part in the fight, spokesman of Kosovo police for Gnjilane region Ismet Hasani said for the local media.

 

Parliament confirms agreement between Serbia, China on non-visa regime (RTS)

 

The Serbian parliament confirmed on Friday an agreement signed with China on non-visa regime, Belgrade-based electronic media reported. The agreement on visa abolishment was signed by representatives of Serbian and Chinese government in Riga on 5 November, in order to improve friendly relations between the two countries and facilitate exchange of tourists; it was stated by the government. Chinese citizens would not need visa to visit Serbia up to 30 days, and Serbian citizens who planned to spend up to one month in China would not need it as well.

 

Dacic visits Tianjin to discuss cooperation (Beta)

 

On the last day of his visit to Tianjin, Serbian Foreign Minister Ivica Dacic met with the city mayor, Wang Dongfeng, agreeing with the mayor that considerable potential existed for the development of overall cooperation, especially in economy, investments and agriculture.

The foreign minister and the mayor also expect that the upcoming move to introduce a visa-free regime for the citizens of Serbia and China will open opportunities to strengthen cooperation in tourism, which is why it is necessary to open direct flights between the two states, the Serbian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

 

REGIONAL PRESS

 

Leaders of HDZ B&H, SNSD discuss reform of judiciary; announce their version of law on CC B&H in 15 days (RTRS)

 

A meeting of HDZ B&H and SNSD delegations, led by the parties’ leaders Dragan Covic and Milorad Dodik respectively, was held on Friday. On that occasion, Covic and Dodik discussed the Law on the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H, B&H’s path towards the EU, work of judicial institutions at the state level, current political situation in this country and cooperation between HDZ B&H and SNSD. Following the meeting, Dodik and Covic addressed a joint press conference and confirmed that SNSD and HDZ B&H achieved good cooperation in the past and announced that they will continue to cooperate in the future. The two officials also announced that they will offer a new text of the Law on the CC of B&H in the forthcoming 15 days. Dodik pointed out that there can be no rule of law for as long as foreign judges are present in B&H CC, noting that B&H will not be able to join the EU as long as the Court of B&H, the Prosecutor’s Office of B&H and the CC of B&H are not reformed. Commenting on B&H’s path towards the EU, the Republika Srpska (RS) President underscored that the country will not be able to answer the European Commission’s (EC) Questionnaire if the Coordination Mechanism on EU matters is nonfunctional. Dodik’s words were echoed by leader of HDZ B&H Covic, who also underscored that it is high time for foreigners to leave the CC of B&H so that citizens of B&H can be appointed to posts in this institution. He added that support of other political parties in the Parliament of B&H is necessary in order to ensure that the new Law on the CC of B&H is passed. Commenting on the fact that a group of SDA MPs in the House of Representatives (HoR) of the Parliament of B&H left the session of the SDA Caucus and announced that they will not participate in work of this body until further notice, Covic pointed out that there are serious problems in functioning of authorities at the level of B&H and announced that HDZ B&H will reconsider its relations with SDA. President of the RS and leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik warned on Saturday of deadlock at all levels of authority in B&H, unless Bosniak political leaders accept the initiative to adopt Law on B&H CC.

 

Reactions to Covic-Dodik meeting (Hayat/TV1)

 

Commenting on the fact that Croat member of the Presidency of B&H and leader of HDZ B&H Dragan Covic and President of the RS and leader of SNSD Milorad Dodik announced they will offer a new text of the Law on the Constitutional Court (CC) of B&H, leader of SDS Vukota Govedarica stated, that he will comment on the matter after he reads the new text of the Law. However, Govedarica underlined that, if B&H wants to become member of the European Union (EU), the foreigners must be removed from the CC of B&H.

SDA assessed such proposal as unacceptable and unconstitutional. According to SDA, the proposal of the law would attempt to change a constitutional category which can only be changed through amending the Constitution of B&H. Reactions also came from DF, SDU and SDP B&H, and they all oppose introduction of ethnic voting in B&H CC, warning that no decision can be adopted in that manner.

DF’s Midhat Karovic stated that further separation and creation of new ghettos in the form of entities with their own bureaucracy is pointless.

 

Wigemark: Foreign judges will remain part of B&H CC and they will not leave any time soon (TV1)

 

The EU Special Representative (EUSR) and Head of the EU Delegation (EUD) to B&H Lars-Gunnar Wigemark said that foreign judges will remain part of B&H Constitutional Court (CC) and they will not leave any time soon. Wigemark said this as a comment on the announced proposal of Law on B&H CC, which SNSD and HDZ B&H are preparing. In addition, Wigemark noted that those who bring up this issue are actually wasting time and energy that could be used for resolving substantial issues. Wigemark assessed Dodik’s demands as unrealistic at this moment, particularly bearing in mind that foreign judges are working in B&H CC because domestic authorities cannot come to agreement. According to Wigemark, it is hard to imagine that B&H could become EU member while the Office of the High Representative (OHR), EUFOR forces, and even international judges in B&H CC are still there. “I would say that the best way to resolve these issues is to resolve them one by one, within the process of the European integration. However, we have not started the accession process yet, and are still preparing for that process. So, if someone is bringing up the issue of B&H CC, I would say that is premature,” Wigemark underscored.

 

Plenkovic says Serbia needs to meet its obligations to Croat minority (Hina)

 

Serbia needs to meet the obligations it has undertaken with regard to the Croat minority and once it does it, the policy Chapter 26, regarding education and culture, in Serbia’s EU accession talks, will again be discussed, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said on Sunday, noting that Croatia's blockade of the said policy area was justified and that the issue should not be dramatized. Plenkovic added that it was possible to settle the matter easily and quickly. The Croatian government, which is in touch with the Croat minority in Serbia, has informed the European Commission about problems regarding the matter and the EC is conducting negotiations with Serbia, Plenkovic said, adding that Serbia had been aware of Croatia’s reservations regarding the said policy area.

 

Djukanovic resigned, six new DPS deputies (RTCG)

 

The leader of the Democratic Party of Socialists and the head of the list of this party in the parliamentary elections, Milo Djukanovic, resigned the parliamentary position. He informed Ivan Brajovic, President of the Parliament, on that. “I inform you that I resign the office of the Parliament of Montenegro, on which I was elected from the list of Safe Steps! DPS Milo Djukanovic,” it is written in the letter of Djukanovic. Besides Djukanovic, Vladan Vucelic, Zorica Kovacevic and Nela Savkovic Vukcevic resigned from the parliamentary functions, as well. The State Election Commission will determine who will replace these deputies.

 

DF wants co-ministerial interim government even if it includes DPS (Pobjeda)

 

Democratic Front (DF) Presidency will consider the political platform it received from the Key coalition, the Democrats and the Socialist Democratic Party (SDP), the alliance stated. DF said a co-ministerial interim government which would include the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) is acceptable for them. DF Presidency submitted a proposal on joint extra-parliamentary opposition activities to the Key coalition, the Democrats and SDP a week ago and is still waiting for their response. “Since our original offer for organizing protests against election fraud and false coup on the very election day was rejected by certain opposition leaders, we came up with a new compromise proposal a week ago. It includes ideas and suggestions that opposition colleagues verbally presented at previous joint meetings,” DF added. According to the alliance, its proposal defines a precise path based on the opposition unity to depose the current Cabinet, organize new elections and create a reliable and competent alternative to the present government. DF added that the structure and democratic principles that would help achieving the goal were forming an opposition government and an opposition parliament which would consist of 39 opposition MPs. “Since the boycott proved to be the most effective tool in the fight against the regime, DF will continue to strive for organizing new elections with the help of this efficient political tool. The elections would be prepared by a co-ministerial interim government”, DF stated. The president of the Movement for Change (PzP) and one of DF leaders Nebojsa Medojevic told Pobjeda newspaper that it would be acceptable for DF to participate in the government along with DPS. Medojevic said that their key demand was fulfilled with Milo Djukanovic’s withdrawal. “Since Djukanovic stepped down from power, there is no obstacle for the Democratic Party of Socialists to be in the co-ministerial interim government. Each department would be headed by two officials – one from the government and another from the opposition – who would have equal powers,” said Medojevic. Medojevic said that special attention should be paid to “cleaning the electoral roll”, which the previous government of electoral trust failed to complete. “DF will push for the adoption of a lex specialis, which would empower the State Election Commission (SEC) to remove from the electoral roll each person who has no residence in Montenegro for two years”, PzP leader said. Medojevic also explained that the lex specialis would prevent the mass arrival of the diaspora from Luxembourg and Western Europe to vote, since they have lived abroad for years and decades and supported Djukanovic on the last elections.

 

SEC accepts one election complaint filed by BESA Movement (MIA)

 

The State Election Commission (SEC) accepted an appeal filed by BESA Movement related to alleged irregularities during the voting procedure at the polling station no. 0396/1. The SEC decision is based on a graphologist's report confirming that an attempt had been made a vote to be cast twice in Sunday 11^th, elections. SEC decision to accept the complaint annuls the voting process at this polling station. The voting process will be repeated in this polling station if the total number of voters that exercised their right affects the total results in the election district no. 6. The social-democratic SDSM party announced on Sunday that it will submit four appeals to the Administrative Court, after all their eight complaints filed before the State Electoral Commission (SEC), were rejected, withdrawn or lacked the necessary majority to pass.

Meanwhile hundreds of VMRO-DPMNE supporters remained gathered in protest in front of the building. Protesters were carrying banners aimed at American Ambassador Jess Baily, who they blame for interfering in the electoral process and in Macedonian politics overall, during the two years long wiretapping affair. The US Embassy issued a statement denying that the Ambassador has used his influence over the State Electoral Commission to narrow the result between VMRO-DPMNE and SDSM.

 

Gruevski says VMRO-DPMNE will not accept repeated voting (Republika)

 

VMRO-DPMNE President Nikola Gruevski spoke before several thousands of his supporters gathered before the State Electoral Commission (SEC) to say that the party will not recognize attempts to order repeated voting in several polling stations, which he called post-election engineering of the vote. Gruevski said that foreign representatives were trying to influence the SEC, adding that such efforts must stop and that if there is a repeated vote, VMRO-DPMNE will neither participate nor recognize its outcome. These decisions were made at a meeting of the party's Executive Committee.

 

INTERNATIONAL PRESS

 

Macedonia's Gruevski Issues Threats (BIRN, by Sinisa Jakov Marusic, 17 December 2016)

 

VMRO DPMNE party leader Nikola Gruevski accused Macedonia's election commission of taking 'unlawful' decisions - accused foreign ambassadors of interfering in its work - and threatened civil sector groups allegedly linked to George Soros.

VMRO DPMNE leader and former prime minister Nikola Gruevski on Saturday savaged the work of Macedonia's election commission, the DIK, after it accepted a complaint about the recent general election result filed by an opposition party. Speaking on Saturday evening in front of party supporters massed for a third day in front of the electoral commission's headquarters, Gruevski read out a proclamation which began by accusing the DIK of reaching "unlawful decisions" whose aim was to cheat the will of the people. "The work of the DIK has turned into parody. We have information that foreign representatives are interfering with [the work of] some DIK members [to commit] electoral engineering. Some DIK members are not independent," Gruevski said. He added that his party would not participate in any possible election reruns in some areas. Gruevski delivered his uncompromising response after the DIK accepted one out of eight electoral complaints filed by the opposition BESA party and after it rejected seven filed by the main opposition Social Democratic Union, SDSM. The DIK is still mulling the last SDSM complaint which, if accepted, could have an impact on the outcome of the poll and could even out the number of MPs that the main ruling and opposition parties won in last Sunday's vote.

According to preliminary unofficial results, VMRO DPMNE won 51 of the 120 seats in parliament and the SDSM won 49. Gruevski went on to say that his party was withdrawing from the format of party meetings between the four strongest parties being mediated by foreign representatives or ambassadors, which has been used in the past two years of political crisis in the country. It appeared to signal an end to the EU-mediated "Przino agreement", which established the format. "Some ambassadors have begun to interfere in [Macedonia's] internal affairs too much. That has to end. Some ambassadors have to stop doing that. We demand that they stay within the frameworks of their diplomatic mandates," Gruevski said. He also said his party would no longer accept any solutions towards overcoming the political crisis which were "not standard" practice in EU countries. Gruevski then held out a threat to civil sector bodies and NGOs that receive funds from abroad, saying his party would "fight for the de-Soros-isation of the country", referring to organisations actually or allegedly funded by billionaire financier George Soros. In the past few days, VMRO DPMNE politicians and prominent supporters have heated up the crowds gathered in front of the DIK building, accusing the SDSM of plotting "treason". One speaker warned of re-enacting in Macedonia a "Night of Long Knives", referring to events in Nazi Germany in 1934 when the Hitler regime carried out a series of political extrajudicial executions to consolidate Hitler's absolute power. Pro-government supporters have also published the home addresses of opposition activists in the so-called "colourful revolution" movement on social networks, with warning notices reading, "Get ready, we are coming". Some have been carrying banners reading "Baily Out", referring to US Ambassador Jess Baily whom they accuse of interfering in the work of the DIK, which he denies. Last Sunday's elections have clearly failed to resolve a prolonged political crisis that began last year when the SDSM released wiretaps that it said showed Gruevski's government had illegally wiretapped over 20,000 people, among other alleged crimes. Gruevski, who took power in 2006 and resigned as prime minister earlier this year under an EU-brokered accord reached last summer, claims unnamed foreign intelligence services “fabricated” the wiretapping tapes and gave them to the SDSM to destabilise the country. The ruling party claims that the frequent anti-government protests staged in the past two years dubbed the "colorful revolution" are part of the same scenario.

 

Pioneering Macedonian MPs Shake off Ethnic Label (BIRN, by Fatjona Mejdini, 16 December 2016)

 

Two trail-blazing Macedonian Albanian MPs – who won seats in parliament for the Social Democrats, not for an ethnic party – said their community has shown it seeks change.

For the first time in 25 years, two ethnic Albanian MPs will sit in Macedonia’s parliament not as representatives of ethnic Albanian parties but as deputies of a mainstream Macedonian party.

Skopje journalist Muhamed Zekiri and Gjylymsere Kasapi, a professor and women’s right activist, will sit in the assembly on behalf of the main opposition party, the Social Democratic Union, SDSM, led by Zoran Zaev. Zekiri and Kasapi say they decided to break from the usual way of seeking political representation for Macedonian Albanians, which normally means running with ethnic Albanian parties, because they wanted to support the SDSM in its battle to dislodge Macedonia’s ruling VMRO DPMNE party. They said they also wanted Macedonian Albanian voters to move on from the old discussions about nationalism to social and economic issues. Experts estimate that a sizeable number of Albanians in Macedonia voted for Zaev and the SDSM for very same reason. They wanted to see a change in the national government and warmed to Zaev’s focus on higher standards of living for all. Since Macedonia became independent in 1991, the more than half of a million Albanians there have always been represented by ethnic Albanian parties – the strongest of which would then enter a coalition government with the ruling party. But, as BIRN has reported, ethnic Albanian parties won fewer votes in this election than usual - only 210, 847 as opposed to the 237,000 they won in the general elections in 2014. Although voter turnout was up by 5 per cent overall, Albanian parties lost more than 27,000 votes. It is widely believed that many of these missing votes went to the SDSM, which notched significant victories in some Albanian-dominated areas for the first time since independence.

 

A shared dislike for VMRO DPMNE:

Zekiri registered as a member of SDSM this September and shortly afterwards was mad party candidate number three in Macedonia’s second electoral district, which includes the capital, Skopje. He told BIRN that he wanted to show Macedonian Albanians that there other ways to the right thing for the community. “Albanian support for the SDSM in this election was a historic milestone, which shows they have become politically mature,” he said. “They have told Macedonians that they love the country even more than them, while understanding that [VMRO DPMNE leader] Nikola Gruevski is the worst thing that happed to Albanians and Macedonians together,” he added. In November, many people were surprised when Gjylymsere Kasapi was listed as the SDSM’s second candidates in the sixth electoral district, which sends most ethnic Albanian MPs to parliament. She told BIRN that she had decided to stand as a candidate for the SDSM because she felt part of a wider civil and intellectual movement. “I was elected as an MP based on my constant engagement in the public sphere while leading many initiatives that had at their centre the empowerment of women,” she said. Ironically, Kasapi was a founder of the first ethnic Albanian party back in 1992. Now that more than two decades have passed, she has returned to represent Albanian interests for a Macedonian party. Zekiri and Kasapi are well aware that many Albanians consider their actions shocking and almost unpardonable. They do not mind. What many Albanians in Macedonia consider a betrayal, they consider evidence of a new, progressive spirit. “I don’t understand who I have betrayed. Those who have really betrayed the Albanian interest in Macedonia are the parties that have shared power with VMRO-DPMNE,” Zekiri emphasized. He believes that Albanians who have supported the SDSM have shown a true loyalty to the country, by helping the SDSM to deprive Gruevski of a clear majority in parliament.

Xhenis Sulimani, a political analyst, admits that many Albanian do not welcome the fact that some votes from their community went to a Macedonian party but says the old-style parties need to draw lessons from what happened. “The Albanian parties should reflect on what has happened. They should take note that Zaev took their votes, not because of nationalism but because he promised [to look after] their social and economic wellbeing,” he said.

 

Disillusion with nationalist rhetoric:

Albanians in Macedonia have for decades protested about not being equal to their Macedonian compatriot. Xhenis Sulimani told BIRN that the SDSM’s success was down partly to the way it treated Albanians as equal citizens. “The SDSM approached every citizen without distinguishing on the basis of ethnicity or religion while promising to treat everyone equally and take care of socially important issues like salaries,” he said. Sulimani says many people are disillusioned with the national rhetoric of the old Albanian parties, which has nothing to say about their social and economic condition. “In their votes, it seems that the Albanian said: enough with the nationalism, we want to live with dignity,” he stated. Zekiri noted that 67 per cent of Albanian votes went to the various opposition alternatives, signaling a wish to punish both VMRO DPMNE boss Nikola Gruevski and his Albanian coalition partner, the Ali Ahmeti, leader of the Democratic Union for Integration, DUI. “They have punished the parties in power for the crimes that they committed in the last 10 years,” he said.

Gjylymsere Kasapi told BIRN that she believes a truly Western European-style social democratic program, such as the SDSM’s, can solve Macedonia’s longstanding social and political crises.

“The country is swept by depression and the exodus of young people is alarming. The time has come for big action, instead of big statements,” she said. Kasapi emphasized that she would use her MP’s mandate in the service of all citizens in need, without distinguishing between them on the basis of nationality.