Kosovo-based think tank FOL presented today results of a recent poll on the political preferences of the citizens of Kosovo asking them how they would vote in case of fresh elections. According to the results, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) would come first with 29 percent of the votes, followed by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 26 percent and Vetevendosje with 14 percent. The poll was carried out in all Kosovo cities and includes respondents from all communities.

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.

Ramush Haradinaj-led Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has dismissed reports that it is about to finalise agreement with ruling parties – the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). In a statement to the media, AAK said such reports are speculations but added that it is open to meet with anyone who can help in withdrawing agreement on establishment of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation with Montengro.

The head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group Ismet Beqiri said after the meeting of the Assembly presidency that the opposition parties are not allowing the ruling coalition MPs to express their views on the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. “LDK will not vote for a demarcation that that strips the state of Kosovo of its territory. But this has to confirmed first,” said Beqiri.

Publicist Enver Robelli argues in his opinion piece that “calls for rejecting the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities by organizing a referendum can only complicate the current situation in Kosovo. People will not vote in favor or against the Association, but will instinctively vote against Serbia – and why should they be judged for this bearing in mind the crimes that Serbia has committed in Kosovo since 1912.

The Assembly chairmanship gathered today to discuss the modalities of the Thursday’s session. The meeting was held without the presence of the heads of the parliamentary groups of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Vetevendosje movement and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA).

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) parliamentary group chief, Ismet Beqiri, told KTV that throwing teargas in today’s session of the Kosovo Assembly has nothing to do with democracy. Beqiri recalled that it was Serbian police and army that once used teargas and bullets against Albanians. He also said that there were other democratic means for the opposition to achieve its political objectives, not through teargas.

The Vetevendosje Movement parliamentary group chief, Glauk Konjufca, said that throwing the teargas in today’s session of the Assembly was a democratic act and that all actions by the opposition were aimed at stopping the adoption of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities. “We want to block the work of the Kosovo Assembly … I think this [the teargas] did well to the LDK MPs … This is a democratic act.

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has expressed deep concern over the events that happened at the Assembly of Kosovo today. In a statement, the second-largest party said “such violence undermines the vital interests of the people and the state of Kosovo.” The opposition should therefore give up attempts to forcefully block the Assembly. “LDK supports the majority MPs who in a calm and dignified manner faced the violence against them,” reads the statement.

The Vetevendosje Movement announced on Monday that  it has so far collected over 160,000 signatures against the formation of the Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation agreement with Montenegro. According to Vetevendosje, citizens from all political parties, including those who voted for the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), are signing the petition. Vetevendosje also said the petition would continue until 200,000 signatures are collected and then they will organize protests.