HIBRID: Minister Murati's statement that the opposition rejected vote on the 90m-euro loan agreement is not entirely accurate

Hibrid.info has found that in fact the deal was not voted in the Assembly, in absence of quorum.

Both of these posts where he mentioned the opposition's failure to vote on the deal in question, has published on June 23rd (see Here. i n Here.).

Analysis:

Murati has declared that this agreement expects ratification in the Assembly since May of last year. Hibrid.info has searched the Kosovo Assembly site to find information on this institution's sessions in May 2024 (see here).

The session when the agreement was considered was held on May 23, 2024. “Reviewing the Bill for ratification of the Funding Agreement for the first development policy financing programme for fiscal efficiency, competitiveness and green growth between the Republic of Kosovo and the International Development Association” was not envisioned on the agenda of this session (see Here.).

But from the process of this session it is understood that the review of this project was decided to be done by avoiding pre-procedural deadlines with the Framework Order, which means that for voting (for 77, against 11, abstentions 0) of this agreement was decided during the session (pages 4 and 5 by the document, see Here.)

In the draft document, Article 2, paragraph 3, writes that the Financial Agreement will provide budgetary support to the Republic of Kosovo, worth ninety million and three hundred thousand euros (90,300,000) in the form of budgetary support. As far as funding conditions are concerned, the loan has matured 12 years, with six years of age. The credit has no interest or other service fees” (see here).

Even from pages 15 and 16 of the session transcript, on the basis of the then statements of Minister Murati and the chairman of the Commission for Buxet, Amend Muja, it is understood that it is about the same agreement the minister in office referred to in his recent posts. Both have cited 90m euros at an effective 0% rate. (see) Here.).

However, the 17th page of the transcript shows that this agreement was not due to lack of quorum, though Parliament Speaker Glauk Konjufca, had concluded during this vote that 84 MPs were present but that part of them had not voted (see Here.). For the approval of international agreements, pro-two-thirds (80) of the Parliament's deputies are required, meaning that the quorum needed for the vote is more than 80 MPs.

The transcripts lack data for MPs who had voted.

Hibrid.info researched the video of this plenary session. From video encountered in news agency “KosovaPress” in YouTube, it has been found that voting of this agreement is made by hand-off (see) Here.). But deputies of the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV), the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and those of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) have voted. MPs from the Democratic League of Kosovo have not participated in the vote.

From who the quorum was unable in this session, it is difficult to understand from images, but what is seen by the transcript is that all other international agreements before this session had received green light from MPs, except this agreement. And this report, then prepared by television “Klan Kosova” (see Here.).

Another development that rejects Murati's claim is the meeting between Prime Minister Albin Kurti, once LV leader, along with Memli Krasniqi, the PDK chairman, held ten days before this session (13 May).

The possibility of co-operation for voting 13 international agreements (see) was discussed at this meeting Here. i n Here.), whose vote had promised two days later (15 May) Bedri Hamza, the candidate PDK for prime minister in February 9th elections (see Here.).

How are international agreements voted?

Article 10 of NR Law. 04/ L-052 for the International Accords stipulates that: “1. The Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo with the votes of two-thirds (2/3) of all MPs ratified international agreements on these issues: 1.1. territory, peace, alliances, political and military issues; 1.2. fundamental rights and freedoms; 1.3. The membership of the Republic of Kosovo in international organisations; 1.4. Getting financial obligations from the Republic of Kosovo. ”

On the other hand, in paragraph 2, 3 and 4 of this law, it is said: “2. International agreements referred to in paragraph 1. This article is ratified by law by two-thirds (2/3) of all Kosovo Republic deputies. 3. International agreements of the Republic of Kosovo referred to in paragraph 1. This article is handed over to the Parliament at its own initiative or after the government proposal. 4. International agreements of the Republic of Kosovo, except those in paragraph 1. This article is ratified after the president's signing. ”

Significantly, in the past legislature by Albanian parties LVV there were 55 deputies, PDK 18 deputies, LDK 17 deputies, AAK nine deputies (see Here.).

Bottom Line:

Acting Minister Hekuran Murati's statement, under which opposition parties in the past legislature had refused to vote for ratification of the 90m-euro loan without interest from the World Bank, does not stand. This was not ratified because of lack of quorum, not because of the opposition parties' vote, of which alone LDK did not participate in the vote, while The PDK and AAK voted in favour.

In line with the criteria for classifying statements related to objective and verifiable facts, the Murati statement enters the category of authenticity.

Based on the methodology of check-out statements, the same is estimated as “halves true”.

Reason:

In the category of authenticity, it is appreciated that statements related to objective facts whose accuracy can be determined by objective verification. The statements addressed in this category receive the assessment of false, half true, or even true declaration. /Periscopi/