Headlines - 14.06.2017

• Vetevendosje’s Kurti starts building ruling coalition (Koha)
• PAN coalition “shaking up” (Zeri)
• EU expects quick formation of new Kosovo government (RTK)
• Thaci welcomes EU observation mission’s preliminary report (media)
• British Embassy pleased with election process (Epoka)
• DnV: Election process followed by irregularities (Zeri)
• EP calls on Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements (Koha)
• Simic: Serbian List will defend Serbia’s territorial integrity in Kosovo (Koha)
• Ombudsperson calls for end to “illegal” practice of billing electricity (Zeri)

Vetevendosje’s Kurti starts building ruling coalition (Koha)

Vetevendosje’s candidate for Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, called on the LDK-AKR-Alternativa coalition on Tuesday to begin discussions on forming the ruling coalition, as according to Kurti the coalition consisting of the PDK, AAK and Nisma will fail to form the new government. Kurti said the results of the 11 June parliamentary elections showed that the people want a progressive government that will solve their problems. He also said he would undertake all necessary measures to lead talks with other political parties with the aim of “removing the old regime with justice and without vengeance”. “We call on the parties of the LDK-AKR-Alternativa coalition and all MPs of the PDK-AAK-Nisma coalition, who are against the old regime, to join us in a roundtable where we will discuss the new political situation in the country, and the new political program of a government led by Vetevendosje,” he added. Kurti also ruled out the possibility of giving up the post of Prime Minister. LDK officials meanwhile said they are willing to answer Kurti’s call for creating the new government. LDK deputy leader Haki Rugova said on Tuesday that his party was waiting for the certification of election results before they proceed with meetings.

PAN coalition “shaking up” (Zeri)

Kosovo is entering a political stalemate following elections which resulted in no winner with a convincing majority, the paper warns on its front page quoting political analysts. In addition, the paper reports that officials from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), who joined a pre-election coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and won 34% of the votes, said that if their demands are not taken fulfilled, they would leave the so-called PAN coalition. However, NISMA’s Haxhi Shala said the issue has not yet been discussed at the party but that they believe they as a party did much better than in 2014 elections.

EU expects quick formation of new Kosovo government (RTK)

Maja Kocijancic, spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs & Security Policy, said on Tuesday that the EU expects the quick formation of the new government in Kosovo. “We expect all political leaders to ensure the quick formation of the new government so that important work can continue on economic development, rule of law promotion, EU-facilitated dialogue with Belgrade and visa liberalization,” Kocijancic said.

President Thaci welcomes EU observation mission’s preliminary report (media)

Kosovo’s President Hashim Thaci welcomed the preliminary report of the European Union’s Election Observation Mission for the 11 June parliamentary elections. Thaci said the report confirmed that elections were free, democratic and in line with international standards. “I thank the EU for responding positively to my invitation for deploying an observation mission and I would like to thank over 100 observers led by Alojz Peterle for observing the parliamentary elections on Sunday. I would also like to welcome the report which will serve to further improve the elections process,” Thaci said in a Facebook post.

British Embassy pleased with election process (Epoka)

The British Embassy welcomes the preliminary report of the EU Observation Mission and its conclusions on the 11 June elections in Kosovo. In a statement, the British Embassy said a strong democracy and a robust electoral system are vital to Kosovo’s progress. “We are pleased that the elections were conducted in a largely peaceful manner and that most Kosovo citizens were able to express their democratic will through their vote”, the Embassy said stressing however that the EU observers noted a number of concerns including the intimidation of Kosovo-Serb voters, out-of-country voting, and inaccurate voter lists.

DnV: Election process followed by irregularities (Zeri)

Observers from the Kosovo-based Democracy in Action (DnV) said in a press conference yesterday that they noted a number of irregularities during election day on Sunday but that in general the process was peaceful, except for the voting in the north of Kosovo where the situation was tense. DnV said their observers identified cases of family voting, voting outside of booths, photographing of votes, attempts to vote more than once. DnV further said that the large number of invalid ballots is a cause for concern and called on relevant institutions to address identified problems as soon as possible.

EP calls on Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements (Koha)

In a debate ahead of voting on a resolution, the European Parliament called on authorities in Pristina to establish Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities without further delays and set up a high-level working group that would draft its statute which would be then presented to the Kosovo Assembly for endorsement, Koha reports quoting Belgrade news agency Beta. MEP’s said agreements reached thus far in the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue should be implemented and called on the EU external service to assess how the parties are living up to their obligations.

Simic: Serbian List will defend Serbia’s territorial integrity in Kosovo (Koha)

Slavko Simic, leader of the Serbian List, told Belgrade-based Beta news agency on Tuesday that his party would not make any compromises with Kosovo Albanian political leaders. Simic said the Serbian List would defend “the integrity of UNSC Resolution 1244 and the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia”. Commenting on Ramush Haradinaj’s statement that dialogue with Serbia can continue only if the latter recognizes Kosovo’s independence, Simic said “Albanians can only dream about an army and their leaders are manipulating with nationalistic statements”. “Haradinaj is not focused on reconciliation and building trust, he instead makes irresponsible and incompetent statements,” he added.

Ombudsperson calls for end to “illegal” practice of billing electricity (Zeri)

Kosovo Ombudsperson, Hilmi Jashari, called on the Energy Regulatory Office to immediately end the practice of billing unpaid electricity in the north to the rest of Kosovo residents and find alternative ways to avoid losses in the north. Jashari said all consumers need to be treated equally and no preferential treatment should be given to anyone.