Kosovo Assembly fails to be constituted even after 28 attempts

The deputies of the Kosovo Assembly have not managed to constitute the new parliamentary composition even on Saturday, marking the 28th failure in a row.

As in previous parliamentary sessions, starting on April 15, the scenario was the same: the session lasted a few minutes, and continued after 48 hours - in this case the next one will be on June 9.

Mërgim Lushtaku from the Democratic Party of Kosovo said at the start of the session that it is regrettable that citizens and their needs are not being given due attention, and assessed that the Self-Determination Movement (LVV), through these movements, only aims to drag out the process until the local elections, which are expected to be held in October.

Armend Zemaj from the Democratic League of Kosovo said that "what is happening in the institution of the Assembly is excessive" and that the Vetëvendosje Movement should either pave the way or offer opportunities "to end the impasse."

After the session, Albulena Haxhiu from LVV said after the session that it is also the responsibility of other parties to contribute to the constitution of the Assembly.

"We hope that we have reflection, it is important that each MP is in charge of the task. The sooner it happens, the better for the country and the citizens of Kosovo," said Haxhiu.

This is the 20th 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 the Vetëvendosje Movement candidate, Albulena Haxhiu, for Speaker of the Assembly, as Haxhiu has not managed to obtain the necessary 61 votes in an open vote.

The Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), as the winner of the elections, is responsible for proposing a candidate for Speaker of the Assembly, and it has consistently insisted that Haxhiu is the right figure, although for other parties she is unacceptable and considered a divisive figure.

The issue of changing the voting method – from open to secret – has been sent for interpretation to the Constitutional Court by parties that were in opposition in the previous legislature.

According to them, the LVV's proposals are unconstitutional and they have requested the Court to impose "a temporary measure to prohibit the holding of hearings, until it addresses this case as a priority and makes a decision."

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.

Representatives of the Vetëvendosje Movement have recently mentioned the possibility of holding new early parliamentary elections simultaneously with the regular local elections, which are expected to be announced in October, as a possibility to unblock the situation.

Albulena Haxhiu of the Vetevendosje Movement first presented this idea at a meeting that Osmani held on Wednesday with figures from political entities in Kosovo, to discuss the date of local elections.

However, Abelard Tahiri, from the Democratic Party of Kosovo, said on Thursday that he believes the elections should be held separately.

According to him, if new parliamentary elections are to be held, this should happen earlier, not in October when regular local elections are held.

Arben Gashi, from the Democratic League of Kosovo, stated on Thursday that “it may happen that we come to a situation where new elections will be a solution”, although it would be “very complicated for the Central Election Commission to organize them together (with the local ones)”.

Kosovo's President, Vjosa Osmani, reiterated on June 5 that the delay in the constitution of the Assembly harms the credibility of the institutions and the country's progress towards the Euro-Atlantic agenda.

Diplomatic representatives of the QUINT countries [United States, Great Britain, Italy, France and Germany] as well as the Head of the European Union Office in Kosovo, met a few days ago with the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, requesting the rapid formation of institutions to ensure the well-being and prosperity of the citizens of Kosovo./ REL