Opposition parties have warned that they would continue opposing assembly sessions. Vetevendosje Movement spokesperson, Frasher Krasniqi, said the opposition has no reason to change its actions. According to him, it is the government that should change, because it lacks legitimacy. Krasniqi further stated that calling a new assembly session represented a provocation.
The news site reports that opposition parties are still adamant to block the upcoming sessions of the Kosovo Assembly. The Vetevendosje Movement, the biggest opposition party, said that the opposition has no reason to change its approach and that it is the government that should change. Vetevendosje spokesman Frasher Krasniqi said: “Over 200,000 citizens have signed the petition against the Association [of Serb-majority Municipalities] and the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. The Constitutional Court has ruled that the Association is against the spirit of the Constitution.
Halil Matoshi writes today that quarrels and aggressive discourse against the opposition cannot overcome the situation “of the small and clashed country” as referred to Kosovo in the western media. He considers that the solution stands in an offer for a political, unconditioned discussion, which would not exclude early elections.
In a meeting with youth, opposition leaders said called on the people of Kosovo to join the anti-government protest on 9 January adding that the violators of the constitution needs to step down. The leaders reiterated their demands for annulment of agreements with Serbia and Montenegro while Vetevendosje leader Visar Ymeri said the new year will begin on 9 January. The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) Ramush Haradinaj said they will not allow anything being taken away from Kosovo.
Fatmir Limaj, leader of the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), told the media at the Assembly hall that the opposition is engaging to prevent the government’s agenda, which according to him is against the interests of Kosovo.
Limaj added further that they are not allowing incrimination of the Assembly.
The news websites reported earlier in the day that the Kosovo Police arrested Vetevendosje MP Albulena Haxhiu wanted for her role in the releasing of teargas at the Kosovo Assembly chamber. Haxhiu is reported to have been arrested in Pristina. In the afternoon, the media reported that another Vetevendosje MP, Faton Topalli, also wanted by the police, was arrested inside the premises of the Kosovo Assembly. In a Facebook post, Topalli said he was inside the Assembly and was not being allowed by the police to leave.
Deputy President of the Assembly of Kosovo Xhavit Haliti, says the relations between the opposition and political majority at the Assembly, have been strained and conflicting, ever since its delayed constitution. In fact, he adds, relations are inexistent. He notes that issuance of the arrest warrant for four MPs of the opposition and Albin Kurti’s public arrest by the police, during the Flag Day at Vetevenodsje headquarters, has seriously damaged and even closed ways to discussions and dialogue.
Opposition leaders in a meeting with Kosovo President Atifete Jahjaga presented their demands for overcoming the current political situation which include the annulment of the agreement with Serbia on the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority municipalities and the one on border demarcation with Montenegro as well as the release of all imprisoned opposition MPs and activists. If the agreements are not revoked, the leaders of the Vetevendosje Movement, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) demanded a referendum.
Activists of the three opposition parties, the Vetevenodsje Movement, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), initiated today a symbolic action for the release of the arrested MPs. They stopped in front of the Kosovo Police Headquarters carrying pamphlets “Freedom for Deputies! Down dictatorship!” and “No violence can stop us.”
The Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), one of the opposition parties, confirmed that police have arrested one of its MPs, Haxhi Shala. “We want to inform the public that Kosovo Police have detained MP Haxhi Shala inside the Assembly premises. The Initiative for Kosovo demands the immediate release of MP Haxhi Shala and all other MPs,” the NISMA press release said. The news site reports that Shala activated a teargas canister inside the Assembly earlier in the day.