Parliamentary commissions, first test of power consensus opposition

The proposal for the formation of 14 commissions has been taken at the latest meeting of the Kosovo Parliament's Headship without the presence of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK).

MP PDK, Fatmir Xhelili, told Radio Free Europe that at Thursday's session when parliamentary commissions will be discussed and eventually established, PDK deputies will be present.

As for participating in the Parliament's Headship, where the PDK has a position of deputy chairman, MP Jeleli said boycotting this body is linked to the action of Kosovo Assembly Speaker Vjosa Osmani, who has moved President Hashim Thaci's photo, replacing it with the photograph of former Kosovo President Ibrahim Rugova.

President Thaci's photograph has been shifted from the front of the Ottoman Chief Office and the rest of the office has been established.

The PDK's “Deputies will go into session. We didn't say we weren't going to the hearings. We'll be an active part of the assembly. While we expect the speaker of the assembly to reflect on the PDK Parliamentary Group's request for the photograph of President”, Xheli said.

The PDK has criticised the way Kosovo Assembly Speaker Vjosa Osmani has started working, envisioning as a bad message for the management of the highest legislature's work in Kosovo.

Agnes Haxhiu from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) says it is important that in the phase of the whole functioning of the assembly, in the process of dividing and forming commissions and proposal of commissions, the opposition will also participate.

The “is very important that parliamentary commissions start operating as soon as possible because there are many issues awaiting immediate treatment on the side of the assembly and without the formation of commissions this cannot happen”, Haxhiu said.

Haxhiu emphasises that a vote by the Kosovo Parliament's Headship Proposal on forming commissions requires two-thirds of the deputies' votes, as it comes to amending the Labour Order due to the change of number, scope and responsibilities of parliamentary commissions.

The “is very important for parliamentary commissions to start operating as soon as possible because there are many issues awaiting immediate treatment on the side of the assembly and without the formation of commissions this cannot happen”, Haxhiu said.

Of the 14 proposed commissions, two ruling coalition parties, the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo will be led by three commissions.

Similarly, the Parliamentary Group The PDK is expected to head three commissions. But before it goes to the establishment procedure, MP Xhelili says the PDK has its remarks on how the commissions are divided.

“We have our remarks in the way commissions are formed, the way of reducing the number of commissions, and the manner of prosperity or non-pronationality that are made for commission heads. However, we will discuss”, Jeleli said.

Other parliamentary parties will also have the commissions to lead. Parliamentary Group Alliance for the Future of Kosovo There will be two commissions under its leadership, while the Social Democrat Initiative will head a commission, as will parties from among non-communal communities.

But, for the Parliament's Headship Proposal to be almighty, the assembly remains to decide during the session scheduled for Thursday, February 13th.