The session of the Constitutional Court, similar to that of the Assembly of Kosovo

The hearing of the political contest between the coalition block LDK-AAK-NISMA, supported also by Vetevendosje Movement on one side and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) on the other, was held in almost the same manner as the Kosovo Assembly session held on 17 July.

Arsim Bajrami’s four requests to the Constitutional Court

A reliable source in the LDK-AAK-NISMA coalition told Pristina-based Rrokum TV that foreign diplomats, especially Germans, have made it clear to the coalition that they should not yield to Vetevendosje’s terms, especially the condition to lead talks with Belgrade. The diplomats have also said that blocking privatization and the establishment of the association of Serb-majority municipalities should not even be considered. “It was made clear to us that all we can do with regards to the privatization process is to review suspicious cases.” the source said.

On 21 August, the Constitutional Court will hold the hearing session regarding the submitted appeal of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), which contests the constitutive session of the assembly held on 17 July. PDK has chosen Arsim Bajrami, Professor of the Constitutional Right, as its representative.

Partners of the coalition block LDK-AAK-NISMA, announced a few days ago that deputy Vjosa Osmani will be representing them at the hearing session of the Constitutional Court.

Avdullah Hoti, member of the presidency of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), said his party would not join a coalition government with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Hoti’s statement comes after PDK senior official Rrustem Mustafa told Epoka e Re daily newspaper that a PDK-LDK coalition would be functionalized in the next couple of days. “He (Rrustem Mustafa) is expressing only his wish. The LDK-AAK-NISMA coalition will form the government, without the PDK. This is a done deal,” Hoti told the paper today.

The coalition of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) said today they will establish a broad-based government but without the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). Coalition leaders met in Pristina today to discuss the upcoming session of the Constitutional Court on 21 August on the election of the Assembly Speaker.

Leaders of the opposition coalition, Isa Mustafa (LDK), Ramush Haradinaj (AAK) and Fatmir Limaj (NISMA) will meet today at 12:00. A source within the coalition confirmed the meeting and said that leaders would discuss details about their government program. The source also said that coalition leaders will also meet Serb MPs today. “During the day there will also be a meeting with MPs from the Serbian List. We will discuss the government program with them too,” the source added.

The coalition of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), issued a press release today saying that “the institutional vacuum created as a result of early elections and delays in establishing new institutions are seriously damaging public administration in Kosovo. Especially in the last six months, the outgoing government recruited a large number of party activists in Kosovo’s civil service without respecting any criteria.

Glauk Konjufca, one of the leaders of the Vetevendosje Movement, told Klan Kosova that Vetevendosje MPs did not vote for Isa Mustafa as Speaker of the Assembly because there is no agreement yet between the LDK-AAK-NISMA bloc and Vetevendosje. “Last night we reached a draft agreement which was supposed to be signed this morning. But today the opposition bloc changed its mind. The Vetevendosje Movement made it clear that the vote for the Assembly Speaker should be included in the agreement, but the latter was not achieved.

Isa Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), was elected as the new Assembly Speaker of Kosovo. 65 deputies (out of 82 present) voted for him at the session. His election took place despite the absence of deputies from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), who had left the session in an attempt to make the election impossible. However, LDK deputies, as well as those from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), Vetevendosje movement, and parties representing ethnic minorities, were present.

Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), said today that President Atifete Jahjaga cannot interfere and ask the Constitutional Court to rule on the post of Assembly Speaker. “This situation is different from the candidate for Prime Minister and she cannot do this now. 40 MPs can now send this case to the Constitutional Court,” said Haradinaj, who is the opposition’s candidate for the post of prime minister. Haradinaj called on all political parties to show a political and democratic culture at tomorrow’s constitutive session of the Assembly.