Latest news with #AlbulenaHaxhiu
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Stand-off leaves Kosovo unable again to elect speaker
Lawmakers in Kosovo on Tuesday again failed to elect a new parliamentary speaker, after 14 previous unsuccessful attempts that have plunged Europe's youngest state into unprecedented political deadlock. Political life has been at a standstill since February 9 elections, in which Prime Minister Albin Kurti's Self-Determination (VV) party win only 48 out of 120 seats -- not enough to form a majority government. Opposition parties have, since mid-April, refused to vote for VV's candidate for the post of speaker, former justice minister Albulena Haxhiu. Her appointment had been expected to be a formality but it has now turned into an impasse, with repeated votes -- and failures -- on the issue. Several political leaders are now hinting at the possibility of fresh elections. According to parliamentary rules, the parliament cannot be considered inaugurated without a speaker, and without its inauguration a new government cannot be formed. - 'Hostage' - Several opposition parties now accuse VV of deliberately blocking progress by refusing to propose an alternative candidate. "VV is keeping Kosovo in an institutional crisis at all costs," said Memli Krasniqi, president of the right-wing Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), whose party came second with 20.95 percent of the vote. Krasniqi on Tuesday suggested that the VV consider another candidate, pointing to the last US election when the Democratic Party ditched then president Joe Biden for Kamala Harris. "That wasn't considered anything extraordinary," he added. The centre-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which finished third on 18.27 percent, said the current crisis was down to the "failure of the party that came first in the vote to create political partnerships for a new majority". For Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), a potential solution could involve the intervention of President Vjosa Osmani. She is seen as more pragmatic and diplomatic than her prime minister and could turn to the judiciary for an interpretation of the constitution. Osmani's office on Tuesday said she was launching "a series of consultations" with political parties from Thursday. University of Pristina sociology professor Fadil Maloku said he believed that the "crisis is the result of shameful hostilities between leaders". "Kosovo has been their hostage for three months," he added. Political analyst Arben Qirezi, writing for the online newspaper Koha Ditore, said the young country lacks a "culture of political compromise". He believes that this is essential for maintaining the political system's stability, legitimacy, and democratic representation of the citizens. - Economic consequences - The current deadlock could be costly for Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo's independence. The parliamentary stand-off has delayed the ratification of agreements under the European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, depriving the country of access to 882.6 million euros ($981.5 million) in loans and grants. "If ratification does not occur by June it could end into delays in fund disbursement and potentially a redistribution of funds," to other countries, warned Besar Gergi, from the Group for Legal and Political Studies, a Pristina-based think-tank. Even if parties agree to new elections, the current legislature must still vote to ratify the Growth Plan agreement, added Blerina Istrefi, a researcher at the same think-tank. The parliamentary session that began on April 15 can only be concluded with the election of a president, three vice-presidents and the formation of parliamentary groups. However, the Constitution does not specify a strict deadline for this process, meaning it could, in theory, continue indefinitely. "The parties have locked themselves into their camps... the political schizophrenia continues," said Maloku. As for Kurti, asked by a journalist about a possible solution to the crisis, he replied: "I am the prime minister, let's move on." ih/al/phz/jm
France 24
13-05-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Stand-off leaves Kosovo unable again to elect speaker
Political life has been at a standstill since February 9 elections, in which Prime Minister Albin Kurti's Self-Determination (VV) party win only 48 out of 120 seats -- not enough to form a majority government. Opposition parties have, since mid-April, refused to vote for VV's candidate for the post of speaker, former justice minister Albulena Haxhiu. Her appointment had been expected to be a formality but it has now turned into an impasse, with repeated votes -- and failures -- on the issue. Several political leaders are now hinting at the possibility of fresh elections. According to parliamentary rules, the parliament cannot be considered inaugurated without a speaker, and without its inauguration a new government cannot be formed. 'Hostage' Several opposition parties now accuse VV of deliberately blocking progress by refusing to propose an alternative candidate. "VV is keeping Kosovo in an institutional crisis at all costs," said Memli Krasniqi, president of the right-wing Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), whose party came second with 20.95 percent of the vote. Krasniqi on Tuesday suggested that the VV consider another candidate, pointing to the last US election when the Democratic Party ditched then president Joe Biden for Kamala Harris. "That wasn't considered anything extraordinary," he added. The centre-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which finished third on 18.27 percent, said the current crisis was down to the "failure of the party that came first in the vote to create political partnerships for a new majority". For Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), a potential solution could involve the intervention of President Vjosa Osmani. She is seen as more pragmatic and diplomatic than her prime minister and could turn to the judiciary for an interpretation of the constitution. Osmani's office on Tuesday said she was launching "a series of consultations" with political parties from Thursday. University of Pristina sociology professor Fadil Maloku said he believed that the "crisis is the result of shameful hostilities between leaders". "Kosovo has been their hostage for three months," he added. Political analyst Arben Qirezi, writing for the online newspaper Koha Ditore, said the young country lacks a "culture of political compromise". He believes that this is essential for maintaining the political system's stability, legitimacy, and democratic representation of the citizens. Economic consequences The current deadlock could be costly for Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo's independence. The parliamentary stand-off has delayed the ratification of agreements under the European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, depriving the country of access to 882.6 million euros ($981.5 million) in loans and grants. "If ratification does not occur by June it could end into delays in fund disbursement and potentially a redistribution of funds," to other countries, warned Besar Gergi, from the Group for Legal and Political Studies, a Pristina-based think-tank. Even if parties agree to new elections, the current legislature must still vote to ratify the Growth Plan agreement, added Blerina Istrefi, a researcher at the same think-tank. The parliamentary session that began on April 15 can only be concluded with the election of a president, three vice-presidents and the formation of parliamentary groups. However, the Constitution does not specify a strict deadline for this process, meaning it could, in theory, continue indefinitely. "The parties have locked themselves into their camps... the political schizophrenia continues," said Maloku.
Int'l Business Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Stand-off Leaves Kosovo Unable Again To Elect Speaker
Lawmakers in Kosovo on Tuesday again failed to elect a new parliamentary speaker, after 14 previous unsuccessful attempts that have plunged Europe's youngest state into unprecedented political deadlock. Political life has been at a standstill since February 9 elections, in which Prime Minister Albin Kurti's Self-Determination (VV) party win only 48 out of 120 seats -- not enough to form a majority government. Opposition parties have, since mid-April, refused to vote for VV's candidate for the post of speaker, former justice minister Albulena Haxhiu. Her appointment had been expected to be a formality but it has now turned into an impasse, with repeated votes -- and failures -- on the issue. Several political leaders are now hinting at the possibility of fresh elections. According to parliamentary rules, the parliament cannot be considered inaugurated without a speaker, and without its inauguration a new government cannot be formed. Several opposition parties now accuse VV of deliberately blocking progress by refusing to propose an alternative candidate. "VV is keeping Kosovo in an institutional crisis at all costs," said Memli Krasniqi, president of the right-wing Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), whose party came second with 20.95 percent of the vote. Krasniqi on Tuesday suggested that the VV consider another candidate, pointing to the last US election when the Democratic Party ditched then president Joe Biden for Kamala Harris. "That wasn't considered anything extraordinary," he added. The centre-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which finished third on 18.27 percent, said the current crisis was down to the "failure of the party that came first in the vote to create political partnerships for a new majority". For Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), a potential solution could involve the intervention of President Vjosa Osmani. She is seen as more pragmatic and diplomatic than her prime minister and could turn to the judiciary for an interpretation of the constitution. Osmani's office on Tuesday said she was launching "a series of consultations" with political parties from Thursday. University of Pristina sociology professor Fadil Maloku said he believed that the "crisis is the result of shameful hostilities between leaders". "Kosovo has been their hostage for three months," he added. Political analyst Arben Qirezi, writing for the online newspaper Koha Ditore, said the young country lacks a "culture of political compromise". He believes that this is essential for maintaining the political system's stability, legitimacy, and democratic representation of the citizens. The current deadlock could be costly for Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Serbia refuses to recognise Kosovo's independence. The parliamentary stand-off has delayed the ratification of agreements under the European Union's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, depriving the country of access to 882.6 million euros ($981.5 million) in loans and grants. "If ratification does not occur by June it could end into delays in fund disbursement and potentially a redistribution of funds," to other countries, warned Besar Gergi, from the Group for Legal and Political Studies, a Pristina-based think-tank. Even if parties agree to new elections, the current legislature must still vote to ratify the Growth Plan agreement, added Blerina Istrefi, a researcher at the same think-tank. The parliamentary session that began on April 15 can only be concluded with the election of a president, three vice-presidents and the formation of parliamentary groups. However, the Constitution does not specify a strict deadline for this process, meaning it could, in theory, continue indefinitely. "The parties have locked themselves into their camps... the political schizophrenia continues," said Maloku. As for Kurti, asked by a journalist about a possible solution to the crisis, he replied: "I am the prime minister, let's move on."
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Kosovo parliament deadlocked over speaker's election
File Photo (Photo: AP) PRISTINA: Kosovo's parliament failed on Saturday for a tenth time to elect a new speaker, deepening a political crisis and increasing the possibility of snap elections. Three months of deadlock began with February 9 elections in which the prior ruling Vetevendosje ("Self-Determination") party failed to secure a majority, winning 48 out of 120 seats. As the largest party, VV proposed Albulena Haxhiu , justice minister in the former government, as speaker. However, MPs did not even get the chance to vote on this proposal as the VV wanted a secret vote -- which the opposition MPs refused. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo The opposition accuses VV of deliberately blocking the formation of institutions by not proposing moderate party representatives. "If they propose Albulen Haxhia for speaker not 10 but 100 hundred times, we will oppose it," said Memli Krasnici, the chair of the leading opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). VV, on the other hand, blames the opposition, accusing them of discriminatory treatment towards Haxhiu. The assembly has been in session since April 15. The constitution does not set any deadline but instead states that the session cannot end without the election of the president, three vice-presidents and parliamentary bodies. The deadlock is "holding up ratification of international agreements under the EU's Growth Plan. Without ratification, Kosovo is denied access to 882.6 million euros," the Group for Legal and Political Studies warned. The next session is scheduled for Monday.
