Position does not support opposition-initiated Health Bill

The ruling party, the Vetevendosje Movement, does not support the Health Bill initiated by the Democratic League of Kosovo, as the same, according to power, is close to finalisation by the Ministry of Health.

At today's Assembly session, it was also debated over the MP's role in initiateding laws for approval in the Assembly. Opposition MPs criticised the majority for arrogant numbers and violation of democracy and free mandate of the people's elected.

The draft initiator, LDK deputy Armend Zemaj, said the same is aimed at increasing the quality of health services.

The aim of this bill is to increase the quality of health services, unify health systems and to favour human scientific achievements that ensure stability of the system and health professionals. Therefore, this law is designed to be easily applicable to the benefit of our citizens”, he said.

However, LVV deputy Fatmire Kolcak voiced opposition to this bill, as she said the same is in the legislative agenda of Kurti Government.

She also criticised opposition parties, since they have, according to her, had the chance to adopt the bill as far as they were in power, but have not done so.

The Health Law is currently at the end of the Ministry of Health and is expected to proceed in the Kosovo Assembly. Clearly, previous governments have had the opportunity, especially the proposor to proceed to the same place, but it hasn't happened. This is not expected for a new government to continue with old policies”, she said.

This approach, according to LDK deputy Driton Selmanaj, is violation of democracy and the MP's free mandate for legal initiatives.

This parliamentary majority is willing to show the arrogance of numbers. You can do that, you have votes. But I don't think that's democratic at all. If you don't mind the content of the bills and come out and read the political pamphlets of another dictatorship, I tell you are killing democracy and the MP's free mandate for legal initiative”, he said.

The PDK MP Eliza Hoxha, who said the legal right to initiate laws, said the same way.

The legal right cannot be taken by MPs, regardless of party or parliamentary group. So I think the same way that any legal initiative that has been unbacked by the majority is not fair”, she added.

Supporting this bill, AAK deputy Shemsedin Dresey offered the bill. At one point he also criticised his MP colleagues for the numerous noises at the plenary session.

I asked you to listen or interrupt. If not, we're going to stop talking. Subheading or creating conditions or cutting it off. It's a basic culture when someone speaks to you”, he said.

Health Minister Rifat Latifi, who said that this bill is close to finalising and that he will soon be brought to the Assembly.

The Health Law is one of the highest priorities, as well as what we discussed this morning. This law is already in finalisation and according to our plan both these laws will be addressed by September 30th, but we will do it much earlier because we have made excellent decisions”, he said.

MPs are continuing discussions on this bill. / KP