The Vetevendosje Movement MP Faton Topalli, who was arrested several days ago for his role in throwing teargas in the Kosovo Assembly, argues in an opinion piece that ignoring the opposition and over 205 thousand citizens who want the annulment of recent agreement with Serbia, has brought Kosovo to a serious situation.
Representatives of the three opposition parties held a press conference today where they talked about the recent arrests of the opposition MPs saying that they were arrested in an improper way. Sami Kurteshi from Vetevendosje Movement said the MPs who were arrested for the same offense were imposed different measures. Bajram Ajeti from the Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) added that MPs are a special category and as such have many rights. "All actions of the arrests have violated the Constitution of Kosovo. The MPs enjoy immunity.
Kosovo Assembly held today its last session for this year. The session began with the annual address of President of Kosovo Atifete Jahjaga to the MPs where she said that Kosovo is experiencing a deep political and moral crisis which is challenging the democratic consensus. She said she believed that Kosovo’s elected representatives would be able to leave their daily agendas aside for the common good but expressed determination to continue playing the role entrusted to her by the Constitution of Kosovo and be a factor of unity and upholder of democratic functioning of institutions.
The opposition rally that took place in Peja/Pec today has ended peacefully. In the rally, the leaders of Vetevendosje, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) said the opposition is determined in demanding the revocation of the agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation with Montenegro. Vetevendosje leader Visar Ymeri said the region of Peja/Pec will be mostly affected by the agreements.
The Kosovo opposition parties – Vetevendosje, Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA) – announced they will organise a mass protest on 9 January in Pristina demanding retracting of agreements with Serbia and Montenegro. The decision to call a protest was reached today in a meeting between opposition leaders. AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj also called on the police and judiciary not to follow political orders.
Kosovo Prime Minister Isa Mustafa, during a press conference today mentioned the achievements of the government this year and said 2015 was a year of big challenges. "The ruling-coalition has been stable and managed to overcome all situations and decisions that were not easy but beneficial to Kosovo's prospects for the future,” Mustafa said. According to him, opposition parties must renounce violence and should accept the government’s invitation to discuss the recent agreements with Serbia and Montenegro.
The European Parliament Vice President and Rapporteur for Kosovo, Ulrike Lunacek, told the news site the opposition’s violent acts hinder the political dialogue between the opposition and the government. However, she said a solution can be found without outside interference. Lunacek also said in addition to opposition’s act, also the government is not much interested to calm the situation.
Ahmet Isufi, senior member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), told TV Dukagjini the government of Kosovo is using violence against opposition and “this is the best indicator that the government is falling.” “We will use all democratic methods to prevent the Assembly sessions. We have teargas until the annulment of recent agreements with Serbia and Montenegro. Preventing the MPs to vote these two agreements that undermine the state of Kosovo, I consider it a patriotic act,” Isufi added.
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.
Following the protest against the agreement on Association/Community of Serb-majority municipalities and the border demarcation with Montenegro in Gjakova/Djakovica on Saturday, the opposition is set to organise another rally this week in the city of Gjilan/Gnjilane. A source from the opposition parties said preparations are already underway for the upcoming protest on Saturday.