DW for Haradinaj's resignation: An early failure of this government was pre-programd

Reason: He has been summoned by the Special Court for War Crimes for Kosovo. The cards will already slip from the top, Vilma Filay-Balvaa thinks, announces Klan Kosova.

Twenty years after the end of the war in Kosovo, many unpaved wounds and reconciliation between Serbia and Kosovo still remain far apart. However, an important process has already begun in Kosovo.

With the approval of the Kosovo Parliament was established a special headquarters stand-up at The Hague to review war crimes by Kosovo Albanians during the Kosovo war.

Special Court has begun work, collected facts, questioned witnesses. And now, with this surprising special event, it took to begin with Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, that is, directly with the top of his leadership. h - KLA.

Haradinaj will be questioned since next week. That's why he retired from his post.

It is the second time Haradinaj voluntarily heads towards The Hague. For the same reason, he resigned in 2005.

Former Commander The KLA is accused by Serbian authorities of crimes against the Serb population at the time of the Kosovo war. After declaring him innocent for lack of evidence, there were speculations that witnesses were intimated and even killed. However, after returning to Kosovo by The Hague Hajradinaj was then hosted as a hero.

Long - Term Consequence

Haradinaj's resignation could have long-term consequences for Kosovo, as after leaving this central figure, there would be significant shift in political balances to the small Balkan state. Following early general elections in 2017 Haradinaj was elected prime minister as party chairman „Alliance for the Future of Kosovo”.

Since the beginning, the ruling coalition of the so-called <x0) war wing” was very fragile. Meanwhile, the challenges were quite high -- difficult relations with Serbia, corruption and high unemployment, as well as the Special Court with The Hague headquarters as Damocles' sword. An early failure of this government was pre-programd.

Talks in deadlock

Especially for dialogue with Belgrade, a new balance of forces in Pristina will be established after Haradinaj's departure. Haradinaj was committed to a conditional dialogue at the end of the recognition of Kosovo, as well as he was very firm against possible changes to the borders.

The topic is laid down for discussion by Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and his Serbian counterpart, Aleksandar Vuciq. With that stance Haradinaj scored points in both Kosovo and the West. Especially Germany, but other EU countries, expressed themselves against a scenario of changing borders.

However, Haradinaj was also found under pressure from the international factor after his government decided on high import taxes for Serbian goods. Since then, dialogue with Serbia has been frozen, and so has a possible exchange of territories. Despite intensive mediation, Haradinaj did not release. The stubbornness he reacted to would have consequences soon or later. It was The Hague that accelerated his departure now. Haradinaj's step was consistent and fair: he is subject to justice.

Cards will slip from scratch

With Haradinaj's departure even temporarily from political activity, the political scene in Kosovo will change. First, for President Hashim Thaci and his Democratic Party, the main opponent in the dialogue with Belgrade will be missing from here and now: „Deal”, which has been discussed for a year between Serbia and Kosovo for a change of borders against recognition, could gain ground. However, an agreement in this direction, but without the broad support of the people in Kosovo, would not be a good omen for a long-term solution to the Kosovo issue.

The Special Court for War Crimes of Albanians during the Kosovo war on Friday took an important step towards legal processing of the past. As Deutsche Welle writes, an encouraging sign for Kosovo, but the political consequences of Haradinaj's resignation will not long wait to produce their own effects.

In talks with Belgrade, there may be positive moves, but a deal that could result in a weakening in Kosovo's domestic politics should be averted at any cost, Kosovo reports.