Albanian Language Media:

• Kurti on today’s protest by businesses: Time of barricades is over (media)
• Krasniqi slams Kurti for comparing protest with barricades in north (Express)
• Another failed attempt to form the new Assembly of Kosovo (media)
• Kurti: Increased Serbian military presence, reaction to Defender Europe 25 (media)
• “The economy, unemployment, living costs, among main concerns” (media)
• Westerlund about the situation in the north: It is complicated (media)
• “Berlin supports Kosovo’s CoE membership, but action needed now” (Reporteri)
• Ombudsman: Decisions without formation of institutions, with irreparable consequences (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Vucic: Development of good relations with US one of Serbia's foreign policy priorities (Tanjug)
• Leposavic municipality seeks from displaced persons to move out of apartments constructed and financed by Government of Serbia (Danas, RTS)
• Serbian Democracy: Collective centers in Leposavic neither closed nor empty, we demand accountability of those deceiving public (Alternativna)
• Aleksandar Arsenijevic comments on CEC’s decision on number of local councillors (social media)
• Kosovo Ministry bans work on a premise in church yard in Perkovac village, near Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online, media)
• Kosovo police in front of Serbian Post Office premises in Priluzje, Kostic: A show of force on Ascension Day (Kosovo Online)
• Registration of births and deaths resumes in Mitrovica North after months-long blockade (KoSSev)
• Elshani: No ban on Serbian IDs for towns in Kosovo from June 1 (KoSSev)
• Milos Vucevic appointed to new position (N1)

Opinion:

• "A bait for Pristina to change its attitude towards the Serbs": Can EU sanctions against Kosovo bear fruit? (Danas)
• Kosovo: A parliamentary telenovela in Hitchcock style (NMagazin, N1, DW, KNA)

International:

• Alleged off-the-book payments and conflict of interest at Kosovo’s Agriculture Ministry (PI)

Albanian Language Media 

Kurti on today’s protest by businesses: Time of barricades is over (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti commented on today’s protest by businesses organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the blocking of the main entrances into Pristina, saying that the time of barricades is over, and that the government will not allow new barricades to be built. The protest, which lasted for two hours, was against the decision on the liberalization of the energy market which is expected to enter into force on June 1. 

Kurti said that the decision will affect 1,200 enterprises or 1 percent of all enterprises in Kosovo. “300 of them which are the biggest producers and spenders will be affected the most, but we must note that this process does not come as a surprise,” he said at the meeting of the caretaker government today. 

Kurti said that the law on energy was adopted in 2016 and that the first phase of the market liberalization started in 2017. He said the second phase was postponed several times in the last eight years, giving enough time to the businesses to prepare. 

Kurti criticized the Chamber of Commerce saying that “it should be standing alongside the businesses to help them deal with the new reality, but instead it is trying to block the highways with the demand to postpone the decision. But what the Chamber of Commerce is not telling them [the businesses] is that their demand for a one-year postponement does not solve the problem but only distributes the energy bill to all of you”.

“We cannot protect 1 percent of businesses to the detriment of 99 percent of others. The time for barricades is over. We have removed them wherever they were and we will not allow new ones to be built. We call on businesses to think smart and we will support them,” Kurti argued.

Krasniqi slams Kurti for comparing protest with barricades in north (Express)

Leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) Memli Krasniqi criticized caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti for comparing the blockades by businesses in Pristina today with the barricades in the north of Kosovo. “It is shameful for the caretaker Prime Minister to compare the workers of Kosovo, the businesses of Kosovo, with criminal groups and gangs in the north of the country, which in many cases in the past built barricades and blocked the roads there. This is shameful, unacceptable, and should never happen,” Krasniqi argued.

Another failed attempt to form the new Assembly of Kosovo (media)

Members of the Kosovo Assembly failed today – for the 23rd time in a row – to constitute the new legislative, as Kosovo finds itself in a political deadlock and without a new government three months after the parliamentary elections. Radio Free Europe notes that the consequent failures are happening despite calls from Kosovo and abroad to move forward with the formation of new institutions. The MPs today refused for the thirteenth time to form a committee that would oversee a secret vote on the new Speaker of the Assembly. The secret vote was proposed on May 1 by session chair Avni Dehari, after the Vetevendosje-proposed candidate for Assembly Speaker, Albulena Haxhiu, did not get the required 61 votes for the post. Parties that were in the opposition in the previous mandate have asked the Constitutional Court to assess the constitutionality of a secret vote on the matter.

Kurti: Increased Serbian military presence, reaction to Defender Europe 25 (media)

Kosovo’s Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said that they believe that the increased readiness of the Serbian armed forces near the border with Kosovo is a reaction to the “Defender Europe 2025” exercise, which Kosovo also hosts. “We believe that the increased readiness and presence of the Serbian armed forces on our border is a reaction to Defender Europe 2025. But we do not know yet whether Serbia is doing this itself or whether Russia has asked it to do so,” Kurti stressed at the acting government meeting.

He also spoke about the participation of the Kosovo Security Force in this exercise, saying that Kosovo’s institutions are proving they are capable of welcoming complex organizations to its territory.

“The economy, unemployment, living costs, among main concerns” (media)

Several news websites cover the European Commission’s Standard Eurobarometer Spring 2025 for Kosovo, with most highlighting that the economy, unemployment and living costs are among the main concerns of the people of Kosovo.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/UzLFm

Westerlund about the situation in the north: It is complicated (media)

Swedish Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonas Westerlund, said on Wednesday that the situation in the north of Kosovo is complicated and that he expects the next local elections to result in mayors that will have legitimacy and the support of the population there. “The situation in the north is complex. I am waiting for the next local elections in the north, to have mayors of municipalities that will have legitimacy and the support of the population there. I think it is important to return to this matter. If you don’t take part in the elections, you cannot complain about the lack of the right politicians. This is a central and fair point. In every democracy, participation is crucial – and if you don’t take part realistically you don’t have the right to complain. But I am optimistic about the local elections in autumn, and I hope we will have mayors of municipalities that will have the full support of the majority population. But the situation in the north is complicated. There are sporadic incidents that happen there. As High Representative Kallas said, there needs to be a return of judges, prosecutors and police officers from the majority population there,” he said.

“Berlin supports Kosovo’s CoE membership, but action needed now” (Reporteri)

The German Embassy has said that Berlin supports Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe – but that this requires action by the Kosovo government in implementing the commitments made in the EU-facilitated dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia. “Germany remains strongly committed to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe – and the goal is achievable. But Kosovo needs to act now, including fulfilling the commitments under the EU-facilitated dialogue,” the embassy wrote. “Germany remains strongly committed to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe – and the goal is achievable. But Kosovo needs to act now, including fulfilling the commitments under the EU-facilitated dialogue,” the embassy wrote.

Also on Wednesday, German Ambassador Jorn Rohde said that Kosovo should take advantage of the fact that the EU now has a different composition. He said that both the Association and the issue of the property of the Decan Monastery are understood as compromises that Kosovo must make in relation to Serbia. However, Rohde stated that this is not true. According to him, these are homework for Kosovo that should have been done and have not been done, adding that Kosovo must improve trust and then move forward. He also called for the rapid formation of institutions. “We have a new composition in the EU now, use the opportunity and you have an open window. My plea again is do your homework and use this opportunity and start this by forming the new institutions,” Rohde said.

Ombudsman: Decisions without formation of institutions, with irreparable consequences (media)

The Ombudsman has said that a serious and coordinated reaction is needed by the government and the authorities involved, to guarantee transparency, accountability and a sustainable solution regarding the issue of the increase in the price of electricity by ERO.  This institution has requested the suspension of the implementation of the decision until the completion of the investigations and the review of all legal, social and economic aspects related to this issue.

Through the opinion addressed to the acting government, the Ombudsman has assessed that an increase by 16.1% in electricity tariffs directly affects the increase in the cost of living, particularly worsening the situation of consumers in need and families receiving social assistance.

This institution also has expressed concern about the lack of inter-institutional coordination and the non-compliance with the provisions of Article 49 of the Law on Electricity, which requires consultation between ERO and the institutions responsible for the protection of consumers in need. The Ombudsman Institution has assessed that the Government has an obligation to act in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Electricity, so that such decisions of ERO are followed up with measures through which the rights of consumers in need and other vulnerable categories will be protected.

“And also, to undertake concrete measures with the aim of creating affordable conditions for the business community, by creating appropriate conditions for market liberalization with favorable conditions, as well as by taking measures in order to avoid the creation of a monopoly”, the opinion states.

See the press release here: https://tinyurl.com/59n7cr55

Serbian Language Media

Vucic: Development of good relations with US one of Serbia's foreign policy priorities (Tanjug)

Development of good relations with the US is one of Serbia's foreign policy priorities, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said after a meeting with US Congresswoman Claudia Tenney in Belgrade on Wednesday, Tanjug news agency reported.

"Today, we can proudly say that a positive dynamic in the relations between the Republic of Serbia and the United States of America is opening up new possibilities, with prospects for development, cooperation and a framework for a mechanism of strategic dialogue", Vucic said at the Presidency of Serbia.

"That especially applies to the period after US President Donald Trump's victory in the US elections," Vucic said.

He noted that, for nearly two decades now, Serbia had been fighting by all diplomatic means to preserve its national sovereignty and territorial integrity and that it was fully committed to finding a sustainable solution to the Kosovo issue with full respect for the fundamental principles of international law and a legally binding UN Security Council resolution.

"That is why we extend special gratitude to you for understanding the need for respect of the rights of Serbs and other non-Albanians in Kosovo and Metohija, as well as for your courageous criticism of Pristina's unilateral moves, whereby those rights were unlawfully breached", Vucic said.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/i14f5

Leposavic municipality seeks from displaced persons to move out of apartments constructed and financed by Government of Serbia (Danas, RTS)

The new municipal administration in Leposavic, headed by the municipal president Lulzim Hetemi, recently issued invitations to some displaced persons to return the keys and move out of the apartments that were assigned to them by the Commissariat for Refugees of Serbia last November, reported Danas, citing RTS.

The residents ignored the calls, but they are afraid that the municipal authorities with the help of the police can throw them out on the street. 

The construction of 42 apartments for displaced persons and refugees was financed by the Government of Serbia, the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia, and the Danish Refugee Council.

Aleksandra Subotic, a displaced person from Urosevac, lived in a collective center with her mother, two brothers, and their children. They entered their new home in November last year, in Leposavic, after receiving the keys from the Refugees' Commissariat.

"The Kosovo municipality called for some people to sign a pre-contract, a contract, whatever. I didn't get that call, and a couple of other families didn't. I went to the deputy mayor, Marina, and she told me that I don't have the right to an apartment, that I have excess housing space. If I had something in Leposavic, I would live on my own, I wouldn't sit in a collective center with my family for so many years," said Aleksandra Subotic.

Displaced Serbs from Croatia also found a roof over their heads in a new apartment in Leposavic. Eva Adzic from Glina said that the municipality tricked her into signing a document about eviction from the apartment.

"I didn't return the keys, and I won't return them. He told us and others, if you don't leave, the police will come to kick you out. I have nowhere to go with my things, I don't know what to do. If we don't have a place here, we must go to Serbia," said Eva Adzic. 

In the local administration under the control of the government in Pristina, they took it upon themselves to audit the division of apartments. They claim that the land is theirs, and that some of the tenants have no right to the apartments because they occupied more than they are entitled to or have a house or apartment in Leposavic.

The Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of Serbia announced that it is about unacceptable pressure from the local self-government.

"Serbia is responsible for taking care of its citizens, wherever they are, and will not allow their rights to be trampled on for political or any other reasons. We call on all relevant domestic and international actors to stand up and prevent further threats to the rights of the most vulnerable categories of the population," states the Commissariat for Refugees.

The dispute between the Serbian and Albanian authorities in Leposavic is reflected through requests for the eviction of certain families. If there are those who would have to look for other accommodation, they cannot return to the collective centers, because they are allegedly closed.

Serbian Democracy: Collective centers in Leposavic neither closed nor empty, we demand accountability of those deceiving public (Alternativna)

“It is with great pleasure to inform the public that six collective centers in the territory of our municipality have been successfully closed”, reads the statement published on the official Facebook page of Leposavic municipality on May 21, an announcement sounding truly deserving of praise.

However, Serbian Democracy by visiting “closed” collective centers and people still living there refuted this information from the municipality. Video of the Serbian Democracy visiting collective centers and people still living there is available at: https://shorturl.at/InKow

“Sounds like nice news, but this is a lie. Dangerous and shameful lie”, Serbian Democracy said.

They first visited the Hrast collective center.  

“I could not apply (for the apartment) because I do not have personal documents”, Danica Jevtic told Vladimir Radosavljevic from Serbian Democracy, confirming that individuals still live in this collective center.

In Roma Camp, there are still two families living there, including a five-member family with small children – Radosavljevic confirmed on the spot. Moreover, they claimed that Leposavic municipal officials (in the Kosovo system) while visiting this camp presented themselves as officials of the Republic of Serbia.

In a collective center in Lesak, two elderly women who could not apply for apartments because of the problems with personal documents are still living there. “They still live in the collective center and it is not closed”, Radosavljevic said.

An elderly man alone lives in the center in Socanica. He was supposed to receive the apartment from the Refugee Commissariat but remained without it due to lack of Kosovo personal documents.

“In addition to him, in another collective center in Socanica, several families are still living, including a four-member family from Croatia”, Radosavljevic explained.

Serbian Democracy listed several demands concerning this situation:

-          We urgently request to make the public information about collective centers, refugees and displaced persons still living in them. We demand apartments are allocated to those they were intended to, Radosavljevic said, recalling that 6 apartments “went missing” from records as out of 42 apartments only 36 were allocated.

-          We demand accountability of those who manipulated and lied to the public – Radosavljevic said, referring directly to Albanian mayor of Leposavic, Lulzim Hetemi and his Serb deputy Marina Bogojevic.

Aleksandar Arsenijevic comments on CEC’s decision on number of local councillors (social media)

Leader of Serbian Democracy, Aleksandar Arsenijevic shared on his social media account an article on Kosovo Central Election Commission’s (CEC) decision related to the number of councilors at local municipal assemblies along with the post.  

“They are doing everything to strengthen the Serbian List, and that is what they did with the Law on general elections. Here are the gentlemen with an irrelevant list pushing the number of councilors, and tomorrow the budget.

A question for the CEC and other institutions, does this mean that those who did not vote were deleted? Let’s now hold a referendum based on this number so that we can overthrow the illegitimate mayors immediately, October is far away!”, Arsenijevic wrote. 

Kosovo Ministry bans work on a premise in church yard in Perkovac village, near Zubin Potok (Kosovo Online, media)

The Kosovo Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports banned works on an object in the yard of Saint Ana Church in the village of Perkovac, in Zubin Potok municipality, Kosovo Online portal reported. It was about a summer house, residents used while visiting the church. Its reconstruction was ongoing for the last two months and had just been completed recently.

However, one week prior to the village prayer, residents found the object fenced off with a type, along with notification that works are banned.

One year ago, the Church of Saint Ana was placed under “protection of the Kosovo Ministry of Culture”, a move which disturbed the residents from this area. Some Albanian media alleged that this Church was a Roman-Catholic Church, while residents told the Kosovo Online portal they live in fear from next measures and provocations of Albin Kurti-led authorities.

This temple belongs to the Church Municipality area of Zubin Potok and is surrounded by dense forest and inaccessible terrain. Still, this had not prevented residents of Zubin Potok to pray there for centuries and carry out their religious rituals within the walls of this church, the portal recalled.  

Kosovo police in front of Serbian Post Office premises in Priluzje, Kostic: A show of force on Ascension Day (Kosovo Online)

Kosovo police are currently stationed in front of the building housing until recently the Serbian Post Office in Priluzje village, along with a vehicle bearing Kosovo Post insignia and several individuals believed to be workers, president of Vucitrn Provisional Authority Milan Kostic, confirmed for Kosovo Online.

“They are clearly opening the Kosovo Post office. I see workers there fixing the doors. You can’t get close, they won’t allow it, the police are out front”, Kostic said. He emphasized that this is happening on a major Serbian Orthodox holiday – Ascension Day.

“Right at the time when people were leaving church, they were doing this, for people to witness a show of force and to spread fear. That is what they are doing, that is their plan”, Kostic said. “Wherever there was a Serbian post office or anything Serbian, they try to convert it into something Kosovo’s and provoke the people so that they are forced out,” Kostic said.

He added two Kosovo police special units patrols were stationed at the entrance to the village, which he assumes were there to intervene in case of peoples’ unrest.

Registration of births and deaths resumes in Mitrovica North after months-long blockade (KoSSev)

The registration of newborns and deceased persons has resumed in the municipality of North Mitrovica, marking the end of a months-long administrative blockade that began on February 1 of this year, KoSSev portal reported. Deputy mayor Katarina Ađančić confirmed the resumption of services in a brief statement to KoSSev.

“Registrations of births and deaths have begun. As for the necessary documentation, citizens can get that information directly at the civil registry office. Officials there will tell them what they need“, she said.

This information was also verified by municipal clerks, who told a KoSSev journalist - posing as a regular resident -that the process had quietly restarted several days ago. They urged families of newborns and the deceased to visit the municipal office in person for detailed guidance.

Elshani: No ban on Serbian IDs for towns in Kosovo from June 1 (KoSSev)

Despite weeks of mounting concern over the validity of Serbian-issued ID cards for Kosovo cities, Kosovo police deputy commander for the North region, Veton Elshani, says these documents will remain valid after June 1 - at least for now, KoSSev portal reported.

His statement comes after crossings’ officials reportedly warned travelers that Serbian-issued identification for towns in Kosovo would no longer be accepted. Speaking on the latest episode of “Da te pitam, komšija” (Neighbor, Let me Ask You) talk show from the KoSSev portal studio, Elshani stressed that any change would be communicated in advance, and that authorities are working on a solution.

But for people like Marta Dašić, a 24-year-old from Brestovik, reassurance is not enough. For the past five years, Marta has been trying - and failing - to obtain a Kosovo-issued ID. Her family returned to their hometown in 2004, yet she remains the only member without official documents. Born in Kragujevac, central Serbia, Marta’s application has repeatedly been rejected due to bureaucratic complications.

“I am extremely worried. This is not just about entering or leaving Kosovo - this is a violation of basic human rights”, Marta said during the same program, speaking from the Radio Gorazdevac studio.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/xrkcK

Milos Vucevic appointed to new position (N1)

Former Serbian Prime Minister and leader of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) Milos Vucevic has been appointed as advisor to the Serbian President for regional affairs, the President’s Office said in a press release. The decision takes effect from May 27, 2025, reported Nova. The appointment decision will be published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, the Office said.

Vucevic resigned as prime minister on January 28, following an attack on student protesters in the city of Novi Sad. The Serbian Parliament formally accepted his resignation on March 19.

Opinion

"A bait for Pristina to change its attitude towards the Serbs": Can EU sanctions against Kosovo bear fruit? (Danas)

The European Commission has once again announced the lifting of measures against Kosovo but stressed that this was conditioned by the de-escalation in the north of Kosovo. Interlocutors of Danas agree that de-escalation will most likely not happen, but they have different opinions regarding whether these sanctions should have been introduced at all.

During last week's visit to the WB, the high representative of the EC for foreign policy and security, Kaja Kallas, spoke about the measures that the EU introduced in Kosovo. As she emphasized, the lifting of sanctions was conditioned by "sustainable de-escalation in the North", but she added that the new series of closures of Serbian institutions did not lead to that.

EC spokeswoman Anitta Hipper reiterated this position two days ago, and according to unofficial information, the measures preventing Kosovo's participation in subcommittee meetings within the Stabilization and Association Agreement, as well as technical assistance from the Financial Framework for the Western Balkans, have been lifted for the time being, reported Danas.

Given that it was emphasized that the lifting of measures was conditional on de-escalation primarily in the north of Kosovo, the question was whether such a move by the EU can lead to real de-escalation or just serves as a review of the current situation, in order to avoid accusations of a lack of reaction.

Gogic: The European Commission does not decide on the lifting of measures

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic told Danas that the Quint countries believe that they have done their part by introducing sanctions.

"When you ask them why you are not reacting to these unilateral actions, they will say that we are not reacting, we have introduced sanctions and they are still in force", said Gogic and adds that the Quint countries are counting on Pristina to come to their senses because it is receiving financial support, and that this will be enough motivation for them to calm down the situation.

He reminds that those countries also denied Kosovo membership in the CoE.

"Last year at this time, it seemed like it was a done deal, but then they gave up on it, precisely because Kosovo is not cooperating," explains Gogic, adding that the "bait" was not enough for the current government in Kosovo to change its behavior.

"They are very consciously confronting the European countries, at the cost of keeping those measures in force, Kosovo will not change its policy in the north", emphasizes Danas interlocutor. 

Commenting on Kallas' statement and the announcement of the EC, he adds that these are only calls for the lifting of measures.

"They persistently propose to the European Council that these measures be repealed, but it is decided by the EC, where the member states that have the right of veto sit. The measures will not be removed because there is no consensus in the EC about it. There are a number of countries that are very dissatisfied with Kurti's policy and will not vote for the removal of the measures, Hungary at least will not. So, the answer is that they will not be removed. These are the calls of the EC, but it does not decide on that," says Gogic.

When asked to what extent the current sanctions affect the authorities in Kosovo, Gogic  replied that they were not fully implemented at first, that is, new funds were not approved, but existing funding was not terminated.

"Now, after two years, various projects in Kosovo have been canceled because financial resources are not approved", said Gogic, but added that the question was whether the sanctions affect the government or the population. He stated that the sanctions did hit a part of Kosovo, but that the authorities in Pristina were turning it to their advantage, claiming that the West was against Kosovo.

"It leads more to homogenization behind Kurti instead of a change of mood. Only the opposition parties are more aware, they look at it differently," added Gogic.

Gogic claimed that the opposition would be more interested in improving relations with Europe and de-escalate the situation if they take over the formation of the Government. 

"Whether these measures will have an effect in the future depends only on who will remain in power in Pristina," concludes Danas' interlocutor.

Hoxha: The EU implicitly admitted that the sanctions are unfair

The editor of Pristina's ATV Leart Hoxha, on the other hand, believed that the announcement of the cancellation of the measures was an implicit acknowledgment that they were unfair and that it did not make sense for the measures to remain in force against Kosovo, and that Serbia pass without any consequence after everything that happened in Banjska, but also because of the blockages within the dialogue process.

"I also think that we have to read that sentence more carefully, because it says that the EU will begin to lift the measures, but that it again depends on the events in the north, and that the latest events there do not contribute to de-escalation," added Hoxha.

No matter how constructive the announcement sounds, the first sentence immediately after it proves that the EU was not very serious about this announcement.

"This is worrying both for the credibility of the EU and for any continuation of the dialogue, and that continuation is especially important considering the political situation in both Kosovo and Serbia where the authorities are facing a serious crisis of legitimacy," concluded Hoxha. 

Bisevac: Instead of realistic conditions, formal cosmetics are enough

The president of the Serbian People's Movement, Milija Bisevac, claimed that the Serbs in Kosovo do not care whether the EU will cancel the measures against Pristina because, he added, those measures had no effect on the ground.

"The unilateral actions and moves of Kurti's government continued without interruption, and the situation for Serbs remained the same - full of insecurity, pressure and violence," said Bisevac.

He pointed out that the fact that the EU was considering lifting the measures based on Pristina's declarative moves showed that there was no real will to discipline the Pristina administration, nor to work seriously on de-escalation.

"Instead of real conditions, formal cosmetics are enough," said Bisevac. 

Bisevac claimed that there was no real improvement on the ground without the withdrawal of special units, the cessation of repression against the Serbian people and a return to dialogue based on Resolution 1244 and the Brussels Agreement.

"Despite the fact that it was the guarantor of the Brussels Agreement, the EU did not ensure the implementation of any of the key points, above all the formation of the Community of Serbian Municipalities. The abolition of measures in these conditions means a reward for violence and encourages Pristina to continue with unilateral moves, which only further threatens peace and stability in the north," concluded the interviewee of Danas.

Kosovo: A parliamentary telenovela in Hitchcock style (NMagazin, N1, DW, KNA)

The political stalemate continues: Kosovo parliament failed to elect a speaker even in the 22nd attempt, reported yesterday German agency KNA. It has become a farce, the agency assessed in a report from Pristina, cited NMagazin.

''The Balkan country, still struggling to be recognized by Serbia, as well as some countries of the European Union, has been without a government for more than three months after the elections, and this could cost it urgently needed funds for development,'' reported the German agency from Pristina.

At the beginning of February, the ruling party "Self-Determination" won the parliamentary elections with 42 percent of the votes - thus losing the absolute majority. Since then, according to KNA, the process has become a farce: the parliament in Pristina, meets every 48 hours in a constitutive session. The goal is the election of the Speaker of the Parliament - which is a prerequisite for the formation of the government.

Two reasons for concern

The opposition, however, was boycotting the ruling party's candidate, 38-year-old former justice minister Albulena Haxhiu - much to the displeasure of current prime minister Albin Kurti. He and the opposition blamed each other for the deadlock.

"Self-determination wants to keep Kosovo in an institutional crisis at all costs," rages Memli Krasniqi from the second-placed Democratic Party.

Two weeks ago, Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani intervened, but even the crisis meeting where she gathered government and opposition politicians did not bring the expected breakthrough.

Observers are upset for two reasons, the German agency reported, and assessed that, firstly, the political crisis could lead to official Belgrade feeling that its views were justified. KNA reminded in the report that the Government of Serbia, despite the declaration of independence in 2008, still considered Kosovo as Serbian territory.

Second, “Kosovo is one of the poorest countries in Europe. Without a viable government, the country could miss important funds from the EU growth plan for the Western Balkans”. According to media reports, more than 880 million euros of loans and financing are involved.

"Part of the European family"

"Kosovo is part of the European family, but there are no shortcuts to EU membership," warned during a recent visit to Pristina, the head of diplomacy of the European Union, Kaja Kallas. She called on Kosovo's politicians to act, both in terms of dialogue with Serbia and EU aid.

Kosovo needs "functional institutions", Kallas said. "I therefore call on all parties involved to end the political deadlock and quickly form a new government so that Kosovo can benefit from our assistance."

Resentment was also spreading in society. The KNA agency reported the writing of the Balkan Insight portal, which stated that more than 50 Kosovo non-governmental organizations wrote an open letter to members of parliament on Friday. In it, they called on party leaders to take responsibility. "Inaction is not an option," they said.

The signatories expressed particular concern about the lack of oversight, which was the result of the parliamentary blockade: "The current government, whose mandate has expired, continues to work without parliamentary oversight and control. This is an unacceptable situation for a democratic country."

"Critical erosion of the fragile democratic order"

According to KNA, Kosovo was home to the youngest population in Europe. ''More than half of them are under 30 years old, and a third are under 18 years old. According to experts, the lack of job opportunities and the outdated education system make it difficult to access the labor market. Observers accuse the government and opposition politicians of holding the nation hostage with their blockade''.

"While the parliamentary telenovela continues in its usual 'Hitchcock style', I believe that the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo have every right to express their dissatisfaction," said sociologist from Pristina Fadil Maloku. He assessed that the political deadlock was causing "a critical erosion of the fragile democratic order of Kosovo. The longer this continues, the greater the damage - to public trust and the legitimacy of the Kosovo state,'' Maloku concluded.

International

Alleged off-the-book payments and conflict of interest at Kosovo’s Agriculture Ministry (PI)

A Kallxo.com investigation revealed that Ministry of Agriculture officials in Kosovo made undocumented cash payments to a private company for the decoration of a traditional dinner event. Meanwhile, the Deputy Minister arranged for several official dinners to be held at his brother’s restaurant.

An investigation by BIRN and Internews Kosova’s Kallxo.com, aired on May 25, uncovered apparent financial misconduct within Kosovo’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development, including off-the-book cash payments to a private company for event decoration services and the use of public funds for official dinners held at a restaurant owned by the Deputy Minister’s brother. 

This new revelation follows a Kallxo.com investigation, aired on May 16, which uncovered a web of irregularities linking ministry officials to questionable contracts and led to additional whistleblower reports exposing further financial irregularities within the ministry.

At the request of the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office and under a warrant issued by the competent court, police conducted raids at the Ministry of Agriculture on Tuesday in connection with a questionable procurement contract uncovered by the May 16 Kallxo.com investigation.  

During the production of the May 16 broadcast, two additional whistleblower reports were submitted to Kallxo.com, revealing separate financial mismanagement cases within the same ministry.

Read more at: https://shorturl.at/72ypg