Experts: Kosovo could face turmoil if 2020 budget is not approved

The political crisis in Kosovo, due to the delay in forming new institutions stemming from the 6 October elections, does not rule out the possibility of the country facing budget collapses due to 2020 budget disapproval.

The political subx0> that our state is facing for months and months, according to the prime minister's resignation adviser, Haki Shatri, could lead to unrest and serious damage in society and the economy.

Economic experts who say that failure to approve the budget in the allowed deadlines is a disaster to the country and the private sector.

The prime minister's adviser in the resignation, Haki Shatri, tells Kosovo Press that if the budget is not approved by 31 March, half of the population in the country remains without income.

In addition, Shatri says even capital investments for the country have been banned since January 1st of this year and no capital project can be developed.

The March 31st “closes any payment opportunities, even salaries and pensions. The only line that works and is not restricted by law is external debt. So every fee, every move blocked, and not to talk about capital investments that have no right either of January 1st to process payment for capital investments. If there are 800,000 civil servants and over 100,000 pension users and social schemes make 200 grand, if they have four family members, about half the population. But there are other consequences with the work-work contracts because payments are blocked. Then it is reflected directly in the private sector. The turmoil, discontent and damage to the country, that's the key”, Sari said.

Kosovo's Afarism Oda Board Chairman (OAK), Skender Krasniqi, says failure to adopt the budget is a disaster for the country and could create multidimensional effects on the area of the economy.

According to Krasniqi, the budgetary crisis causes numerous consequences for businesses and society in the country.

This isn't the first time we've entered a new calendar year without an approved budget, even though we had governments. So it's a continuation of these same problems. We are expecting from the next government, whoever is to prioritize economic development and well-being, not as if by now just words the development of the country. We expect to have much greater co-operation with the Kosovo institutions, but also realising the promises Kosovo institutions give to business”, Krasniqi says.

Economics expert Mustaf Kadriaj also claims for Kosovo that by the end of March there are no new institutions and there is no voting budget to govern during 2020, the main burden ever falls on the first party to come out after the 6 October elections.

Mustafa says Kosovo is jeopardising towards going to a budget collapse, while stressing that the country is losing it in the international arena as well.

“The VV from now on should be more responsible for the constitutional and laws they impose. To create institutions, and in this case we should not waste time, because every day more and more Kosovo as a state is jeopardising, which could come to a possible budget collapse that could come up to an administration impasse. Praising from the economic aspect, Kosovo is also not well in performance on the part of foreign investments as well as the loss of the image as an international level of”, Kadriaj says.

Acting Prime Minister Haki Shatri's adviser, showing that they do not have the ability to proceed with the draft budget in the Assembly, says it is good luck that the draft budget for 2020 is prepared by the government in resignation and there is a content that 80% cannot change from any new government to come.