Brussels-based correspondent Augustin Palokaj writes that since the Kosovo institutions are created as a result of personal bargaining, behind closed doors, and knowing the low level of trust that has remained in political parties, would be good that at least the Kosovo President is chosen by citizens directly.

Serbian MPs and Ministers in Kosovo Assembly left the session of the parliament, dissatisfied with the rejection of their amendments for the draft budget for 2015. Parliamentary Committee for the Budget and Finances, after the general discussion on budget, didn’t adopt amendments of the Serbian MPs to increase the budget for returns, Ministry of Local self-governance, four municipalities in the north and municipalities Partes, Pasjane and Klokot in southern Kosovo. Before leaving the session, vice president of the Kosovo assembly Jasmina Zivkovic said that all the processes for which the Ser

The front-page editorial of Kosova Sot newspaper writes that the new government of Kosovo, led by the former leader of the largest opposition party, cannot be justified by the little time available, to propose to Parliament a draft law on budget prepared by the previous government. Budget 2015 is crucial for the direction that Kosovo is going to take during the next year, and if there will be no redesign of the budget lines, then the population of Kosovo has reason to believe that the new government is just a continuation of the last government, known as Thaci 2

Kosovo Women's Network (KWN) expressed their dissatisfaction with the draft law on budget for 2015.

With 81 votes in favor, 28 against and 1 abstention, Kosovo Assembly approved the formation of 14 parliamentary committees. Representatives from the opposition parties expressed their dissatisfaction with the allocation of these committees. Speaker of the Parliament, Kadri Veseli said that the number of committees can be changed, but it is required to have a two-thirds vote.

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, held today her annual speech before the Kosovo Assembly MPs. In a special session, boycotted by the opposition, Jahjaga listed the progress and challenges Kosovo faced in 2014. She said the present time is a delicate moment in Kosovo’s European perspective while, speaking about the six-month political crisis, Jahjaga said Kosovo lost precious time in pushing forward necessary reforms. Jahjaga further noted that Kosovo should not be apprehensive in facing anyone in Belgrade adding that the statehood of Kosovo is never undermined.

Opposition parties – Vetevendosje, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – are boycotting the annual address of the Kosovo President, Atifete Jahjaga, to the Kosovo Assembly. Jahjaga is presenting her year’s work in her address. AAK MP, Donika Kadaj-Bujupi, accused President Jahjaga for, as she said, ignoring the parliamentary majority. "Her unconstitutional actions enabled Hashim Thaci and his group to govern again. She is responsible for the bad things that have happened to the country. This is why the AAK left the session", said Kadaj-Bujupi.

The President of Kosovo, Atifete Jahjaga, is expected to address today Kosovo Assembly MPs while the Assembly will again convene later in the day in an effort to form parliamentary commissions. The proposal on which the Assembly presidency agreed includes creation of fourteen commissions and if this proposal doesn’t receive the necessary votes, the MPs will then vote on the creation of thirteen commissions.

On a front page editorial, Kosova Sot newspaper writes that with the current sharing formula of the parliamentary committees, the opposition is unable to oversee the work of the new government. Out of 14 committees, ten were allocated to the power-sharing coalition parties, while only four were left to the opposition parties.