Latest news with #Self-Determination
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."
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kosovo in political stalemate as parliament fails to elect speaker
Albulena Haxhiu, nominee of the Self-Determination party for the speaker of the parliament, leaves the plenary session, in Pristina, Kosovo April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj Outgoing Prime minister of the Republic of Kosovo Albin Kurti arrives for the plenary session to elect the new speaker of the parliament in Pristina, Kosovo April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj Lawmakers gather for the plenary session to elect the new speaker of the parliament in Pristina, Kosovo April 25, 2025. REUTERS/Valdrin Xhemaj PRISTINA - Kosovo's parliament failed to elect a new speaker for the fourth time on Friday, prolonging a legislative crisis that has prevented efforts to form a new government more than two months after an inconclusive election. Under Kosovo's constitution, a parliamentary speaker must be voted in before the election winner can form a government, but without cross-party support that is proving difficult, and the stalemate has exposed deep divisions in Europe's newest state. In the February 9 parliamentary election, following an acrimonious campaign in which outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti called the opposition "animals" and "thieves", his Vetevendosje party came first but did not secure an outright majority. Opposition parties, who have said they will not enter a coalition with Vetevendosje, partly blame Kurti for escalating the tensions in the country's Serb-majority north that have hobbled Kosovo's chances of joining the EU and triggered sanctions from the bloc. The fractured political scene could result in a snap election later this year if no government can be formed. Kurti's nominee for speaker, outgoing justice minister Albulena Haxhiu, received 57 votes on Friday, unchanged from previous votes and short of a required majority of 61 seats. Parliament must meet again in 48 hours to hold another vote. Opposition parties have asked Kurti to change the candidate if he wants their support. "There is no will from political parties to constitute the parliament," Haxhiu said after the vote. By law, parliament must continue to meet until a speaker is voted in. After that the country's president will give Kurti's party a mandate to form a new ruling coalition. If Kurti fails, the mandate will be handed to the second-placed Democratic Party of Kosovo and, if they do not succeed, the third-placed Democratic League of Kosovo party. If all efforts fail, the president can call snap elections - an outcome many analysts expect. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Al-Ahram Weekly
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Kosovo set for deadlock after PM falls short of election majority - International
Prime Minister Albin Kurti's governing party was on track to secure the most seats in Kosovo's parliament but would lack the numbers for a majority, the election commission said Monday. Sunday's vote pitted Kurti's campaign to stamp out the influence of Serbia more than 15 years after Kosovo declared independence against the opposition's vow to boost the economy in one of the poorest corners of Europe. With 93 percent of votes counted and no party with a clear majority in the 120-seat parliament, analysts warned that Kosovo could be facing prolonged crisis, possibly ending with another election. Kurti's Vetevendosje ("Self-Determination") party (VV) was on course to win roughly 41 percent of the vote, according to election commission data, down from around 50 percent in 2021. The right-wing Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) trailed in second with 22 percent of the votes, followed by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 18 percent. Election expert Mazllum Baraliu said either of the two largest parties could seek the support of smaller blocs. "Whichever of these two combinations succeeds, they will not be stable and will be temporary," he said. If this fails and the president is also unable to broker a compromise, a new election would be inevitable, he said. Kurti had hinted before the vote that he would prefer to sit in opposition if his party was unable to form a majority government, but changed his tune as the votes were counted. "Without hesitation, we will form a government," he told supporters overnight, congratulating them on their "victory". Leart Hoxha, a political analyst, said VV would be in no rush to form a coalition, instead remaining in charge as a caretaker government while the other parties squabbled. "This will be a year that will be wasted, it will be a government that will not be able to push for major projects," he said, adding that this would be likely to lead to political and social crises. Election officials said turnout for the vote was around 40 percent. - Tensions - Twenty seats are reserved for minority parties, including 10 for Kosovo's ethnic Serbs, who are vastly outnumbered by ethnic Albanians. The Serb List party said it had won all 10 seats, which if confirmed could put them in the position of kingmaker -- even though the party has often boycotted parliament and is regarded by Kosovo authorities as the armed wing of Serbia. "We thank our President Aleksandar Vucic for his congratulations and support, not only today but during all these years," party head Zlatan Elek told a news conference, referring to Serbia's president. "We have only one country and one president." Kosovo fought a war with Serbia in the late 1990s as it sought to break away, but Belgrade has never recognised its declaration of independence made in 2008. Kurti's government is the first to serve its full term in office since the declaration, but his time in office has been turbulent. Tensions spiked after EU- and US-backed negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia all but collapsed in March 2023. In the aftermath, NATO peacekeepers were assaulted by rioting Serbs while a deadly armed standoff in the north sent regional tensions soaring. Kurti also launched a concerted effort to dismantle the remaining Serbian institutions operating on Kosovo soil by shuttering Belgrade-backed banks and post and tax offices along with banning the Serbian currency and car plates. Throughout the unrest, Kurti has remained unwavering, even if it meant running afoul of Kosovo's allies in the US and Europe. Short link:
