Kosovo still without an Assembly and Government, 90 million euros from the World Bank are at risk!

The acting Minister of Finance has warned that Kosovo risks losing 90 million euros in funding from the World Bank, which has been allocated since May of last year, but has not yet been ratified by the Parliament due to political disagreements.

MPs continue to fail to constitute the new composition of the Kosovo Assembly four months after the February 9 parliamentary elections, leaving the country without new institutions.

Lawmakers met on Monday, for the 36th time in a row every other day since April 15, and abruptly adjourned without finding a solution to break the political deadlock. They will reconvene in 48 hours, on Wednesday, June 25.

The issue has stalled over the appointment of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the Assembly.

This is the 27th time that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Serbian List have not proposed a single member to form a commission for a secret ballot for Vetëvendosje's candidate, Albulena Haxhiu, for Speaker of the Assembly, as Haxhiu has failed to obtain the necessary 61 votes in an open vote.

The deputies must elect the president and five vice presidents to finally constitute the new Assembly.

Only after the constitution of the Assembly can the new Government be formed.

But, until this happens, Kosovo currently has neither an Assembly nor a new Government, the current one is only in office without full powers.

In the absence of institutions, Kosovo continues to lose millions of euros.

Acting Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, has warned that Kosovo risks losing 90 million euros in funding from the World Bank, which has been allocated since May of last year, but has not yet been ratified by the Parliament due to political disagreements.

"There are 90 million euros allocated by the World Bank for Kosovo, which have been awaiting ratification by the Assembly since May of last year," said Murati, adding that "this type of financing is special because it has 0% interest."

He emphasizes that many countries would like to benefit from such funding, but Kosovo is among the rare countries that has received it thanks to the reforms undertaken and good management of public finances.

However, Murati criticizes the opposition for blocking the process.

"During the previous legislature, opposition parties refused to vote on ratification, and now they are making the constitution of the new legislature impossible by not participating in the vote at all," Murati wrote.

He warns that "the World Bank and the world cannot wait for us indefinitely."

"If the agreement for 90 million euros with 0% interest is not ratified by September, there is a very high risk that these funds will be taken from Kosovo and given to another state," Murati wrote.

The acting minister has appealed for the opposition to reflect and enable the constitution of the Assembly and then vote on this agreement.

LDK MP Hykmete Bajrami has responded to criticisms by the acting Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, regarding the non-ratification of the 90 million euro agreement by the World Bank.

In a post on social media, Bajrami accuses Murat and his parties of blocking the political process and mismanaging international funds.

"Hekuran, don't misinform. You are the blockers. With 48 MPs, you have isolated yourself and the country politically around a candidate for Speaker of the Assembly, for whom you do not have the votes," writes Bajrami, denying the opposition's responsibility.

She also accuses the government of "arrogant and destructive governance" which, according to her, has hindered the use of European Union grants.

"Hundreds of millions of euros in EU grants have not been used for two years, precisely because of the punitive measures that have come as a result of your government."

Mentioning the situation at KEK, she adds: "Have you seen what the KEK chimney sweeps are putting out today? Why don't you talk about the EU grant of around 70 million euros for investments in KEK, mainly for filters, funds that did not come due to the EU's punitive measures."

Bajrami says the government has destroyed this country, criticizing it for trying to avoid responsibility for the continuous failures of the last four years.

Also at risk due to the lack of institutions are around 900 million euros from the European Commission, linked to the reform agenda for development and European integration, as well as over 220 million euros from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which aim to improve energy infrastructure and economic development, as well as capital investments in strategic projects such as highways and railways./Monitor