Opposition in search of ways to counter Kosovo “impact”

They agree that for the eventual collapse of the government by no-confidence motion, for now, they have no vote.

Comments come at the time when the Kosovo government is facing pressure from the international community to expand the situation in the country's north.

In this predominantly Serb area, tensions are high since the end of May, when Albanian mayors of municipalities have entered their offices, despite the resistance of local Serb residents.

Their protests have also culminated in violent clashes, with dozens injured, including soldiers of the NATO mission, KFOR.

The European Union, as well as the United States, has already taken punitive measures for Kosovo including suspensions of funds, military exercises and high-level meetings because, as it has been said, their refusal to ignore their demands for the austerity of the situation.

According to some opposition representatives, these measures isolate Kosovo.

“Let's deal with power or tear down Government”

Xhavit Haliti, deputy of the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo, tells Radio Free Europe that the influence of opposition parties in the Government to find an escape from the created situation is too small.

According to him, this greatly prevents “inat” between Prime Minister Kurti and specific opposition figures, in connection with, as you claim, each other's mistakes.

Haliti says opposition and power should find the way “can speak sincerely about the country's future”.

“Now, in the next version of the idea of collapseing Government, it is understood that the opposition does not have numbers. As I have seen, the opposition is not interested in starting any protest movements and other issues to counter government policies. So the only way is to negotiate [with power]. If not, then the next option is to help us make [the vote] numbers, so the government” can collapse, Haliti says.

However, he adds, the collapse of Kurt's government is not the solution at this moment, because the creation of new institutions, then, will take three to four months' time.

Currently, Kurti's Vetevendosje Movement has 56 deputies in the Kosovo Assembly with a total of 120 seats.

“Oposor to) joins LDK initiative”

The chairman of the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, warned “ide of the start of articulating a common opinion” to counter “the Kosovo government's confrontational policies with historic allies”.

As Obadiah himself said, representatives of society from all areas, including political parties, will be invited to the meetings to announce and talk to them about the LDK's <x0 plan for overcoming isolation and crisis.

LDK Deputy Chairman Lutfi Haziri tells Radio Free Europe that this initiative aims to prove that the people of Kosovo are and will remain pro-European and pro-American, despite that his government “is damaging reports with Western partners”.

We strongly believe that, on this level, the opposition should join this initiative of LDK chairman and continue to walk in this direction”, Haziri says.

Haziri also voiced doubts about the success of an eventual motion of no confidence in the government.

“Can't do more”

Ramush Haradinaj, chairman of the other opposition party, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, came up with the idea of a no-confidence motion since the beginning of June, naming it a <x0 needed” solution.

Similar stance expressed on July 2nd, saying that the “option for the dismissal of Albin Kurti today is national interest”. He invited the opposition, but also the power deputies to join.

Time Kadrijaj, deputy of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, says the opposition is aware that without the help of MPs from power, the no-confidence motion against Kurti government cannot be successful.

“We can organise debates, we can organize tables, an opposition front... Protests may also be alternative, but there is no such definition. The opposition has not silent, but the bad news is that this government has votes in the Kosovo Assembly, and, while it has votes, it is impossible to do something”, Kadrijaj says of Radio Free Europe.

Maliqi: Opposition in political trap

The recogniser of the political processes in Kosovo, Agon Maliqi, says opposition parties are in a difficult situation, because the political context is “grack political” for them as well.

This is especially problematic, in case calls for the collapse of the government continue. Because of [the vote] numbers, if the math is looked at, the votes of the Serbian List [the largest party of Kosovo Serbs] will also be needed. In this context, the opposition is in a major dilemma and in a slippery situation in the political aspect of”, Maliqi tells Radio Free Europe.

However, he estimates that the opposition, for any event, must prepare for early elections if the government thinks it needs new mandate either for its existing course or for a course leading to compromise.

In such a situation, Maliqi adds, the opposition should be ready and go to elections on a common platform for technical mandate and common candidates for prime minister.

I think that [the opposition] is powerless with the numbers it has. It is powerless because of the dominance and hegemony that Prime Minister Kurti has in public opinion, especially about the topic of the north and negotiations. But I don't think it's completely powerless to work together and cooperate with elements that might be dissatisfied within the existing majority. In that context, the opposition has maneuvering space to detect the course of developments”, Maliqi says.

Kurti described the international community's punishment measures for Kosovo as unfair “.

The EU and the US ask him to withdraw Albanian heads from municipal objects in the north and organise new elections. From Serbia, meanwhile, seek to secure the participation of Serbs in the evental elections.

So far, there is no step towards meeting these requirements.

Kurti insists he cannot compromise the country's constitutionality.

According to him, the April 23rd elections, out of which Albanian mayors have emerged but which have been boycotted by the Serb community, have been legal.