The “Parliament” of Kosovo voted for self-dissolution – the separatists are expected to lift the blockade of Serbian enclaves
The “Parliament” of self-proclaimed Kosovo voted on Thursday to dissolve itself and hold early elections. The corresponding decision was supported by 89 out of 106 deputies present (only two parliamentarians were against). The historic meeting was short and lasted less than 30 minutes.
The “parliament” made the decision to dissolve itself after the recent resignation of “Prime Minister” Ramush Haradinaj due to his summons as an accused to the Special Tribunal in The Hague, which examines war crimes.
Kosovo “President” Hashim Thaci, competing for influence with Haradinaj, tried to reformat the government without holding elections that promised surprises. However, Thaçi’s scenario could not be realized, despite the support of the Albanian authorities.
Kadri Veseli, president of Kosovo's most powerful Democratic Party (DPK) and "ex-speaker of parliament", has confirmed that he will be a candidate for the post of prime minister.
The new “parliament” after the elections must form a government that will have to respond to serious challenges: one of the main ones is the demand of the international community to cancel duties on Serbian goods (the blockade of Slavic enclaves), without which it is impossible to resume dialogue with Belgrade.
“A campaign in which candidates offer fresh ideas on negotiations with Serbia, the rule of law and economic development will ensure that Kosovo does not waste even more time building the foundation for the future,” said US Ambassador to Pristina Philip Cosnett.
Representatives of Serbian parties are being determined to participate in the future campaign.
“We will see what coalitions the Albanian parties will create. It would be good and desirable for the Serbian community to show Serbian unity and form a bloc that includes people with political experience, whom the people trust and who will fight for the interests of the Serbs in the Kosovo parliament,” said Ksenija Bozovic, a representative of the Serbian Social Democratic Party, in an interview portal "Kosovo Online".
Immediately after the meeting, the leader of the opposition Democratic Union of Kosovo, Avdulah Hoti, said that “President” Thaci should set a date for the elections without delay. By law, elections must be held within the next 45 days. According to unnamed sources from the regional parliament, two possible dates for voting day are being considered - September 29 or October 6.
It should also be noted that before the self-dissolution, the Kosovo “parliament” ratified the IPA agreement signed with the EU, on the basis of which Kosovo will receive 90 million euros for “reforms and the development of democracy.”