Kosovo towards institutional crisis

If the Vetevendosje Movement -- as the winner of the October 6th early parliamentary elections -- as well as the Democratic League of Kosovo -- delays even more to reach an agreement on the ruling coalition or fail to achieve it at all -- the country risks institutional crisis, assessing recognition of political developments.

Arton Demhay from the Organisation for Democracy, Anti-Corruption and Dinjitia re, tells Radio Free Europe that after the Kosovo Assembly's establishment on December 26th, the country still does not have a new government, while entering 2020 without adopting the budget for this year. In view of this, according to him, Kosovo is already slipping into crisis, not just institutional.

It turns out we're in an institutional crisis. Especially when we talk about lack of budget Law voting, the country can not only enter into institutional crisis but also in deep financial crisis, if there is no consensus among political parties. At least if they can't create the ruling coalition, enter and pass the budget to the current Assembly. Even if the country could potentially go to early elections, the Law for the Budget will initially be voted and the country will not remain without a budget”, Demhaja said.

Demhaja has added that, in view that at the moment there is no communication between the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo, at least not publicly, then, in the event this trend continues, the institutional crisis is inevitable and with many risks.

The “could be dangerous, because if there is no consensus from political parties, the country can remain without a budget and can enter a financial collapse. Since March, workers can be left without salaries, and only those emergency services can be paid. Second, we risk re-entering early elections, and we can behave for a few more months with those choices, and we can still come to a situation like what we are today”, Demhasaj said.

Rhese Hoxha from the Committee for Jury and Political Studies, speaking of Radio Free Europe, says that with the government's non-creating, the country is risking entering an institutional crisis that would harm it in many ways.

“should also be mentioned at risk of Kosovo's position in its membership in foreign organisations. Then, weakening its diplomatic position, falling independence recognitions, as well as continuing weakening of its position in the dialogue process with Serbia. While, in the local aspect, Kosovo loses much, since the same cannot continue with reforms, which it has already started in justice, education and health, then infrastructure and energy projects, which directly affect the lives of citizens, but also in the eyes of foreign investors”, Hoxha estimated.

Hoxha has added that the recent elections have been named the best held in Kosovo, but according to her, the prospect of achieving a coalition for government creation will affect the further political will of its political parties, but also of citizens over the political parties.

During Monday, US Ambassador to Kosovo Philip Costet has met separately, Vetevendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti, as well as Democratic League of Kosovo Chairman Isa Mustafa, to be informed about the performance on the possibility of reaching a ruling coalition deal.

The embassies of Western countries in Kosovo, which after the certificate of results of the 6 October elections, have called for the formation of institutions. Such calls have continued for the formation of the government, following the Kosovo Assembly Constitution.

So far, Kosovo President Hashim Thaci has sent three invitations to a consultative meeting to Vetevendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti, who is considered the main candidate for Kosovo prime minister.

Under the Constitution, the president of the Republic proposes the candidate for prime minister, in consultation with the political party that has won the necessary majority in the Parliament, in this case Vetevendosje.

So far, Kurti has rejected the first two invitations, meanwhile, has responded to the third invitation, saying he cannot meet with the president on December 31st and has demanded that this meeting be held on January 6th.