US, Italy Embassys Call for Respect of Constitutional Court Decision

The embassies of the United States and Italy in Kosovo have called on Kosovo's Parliament deputies to respect the Constitutional Court's recent decision regarding the constitution, as the country's blockade is losing many opportunities.

They have been referring to the August 8th letter of the Constitutional Court, in which it was said that the Speaker of the Assembly should be elected by open voting within 30 days, and that the party, which has won the most votes of which belongs to the post of chief parliament dealt with a candidate up to three times.

The Italian Embassy in Pristina has told Radio Free Europe that the Constitutional Court has been clear in its decision.

“All political forces must agree to resolve the institutional stalemate for the sake of Kosovo and its citizens”, it is said in response.

The American Embassy in Pristina has told local media in Kosovo, KOHA, that the continuing political stalemate is resulting in missed opportunities for Kosovo.

Kosovo's “People expect their leaders to fulfil commitments to work in the country's best interest. This continuing political stalemate is resulting in missed opportunities for Kosovo. It's time for leadership to prioritize progress and stability in behalf of citizens”, the embassy was quoted as saying.

The Constituent hearing cannot be called without the Constitutional Court's full justice being published.

The Vetevendosje (LVV) movement, the party that has won the most votes in the February 9th parliamentary elections, has seen the Constitutional decision as “dangerous background from the constitutional role” and which, according to it, is “contrary to the fundamental principles of rule of law and division of powers”.

Other major Albanian parties, which in the past legislature have been in opposition, have welcomed the decision, considering constitutional and democratic victories.

Months have been since parties failed to find a compromise on the constitution's constitutionalisation, initially because the major Albanian parties considered LVV's proposal for prime parliamentary, Albulen Haxhiun, the split “figure” and later due to changing voting from open to secret.

A day before the tribunal's decision was published, the British Embassy in Kosovo has estimated that the functioning of the Constitutional Court independently is vital to democracy and that all its decisions must be respected and implemented.

Former Constitutional Court Chairman Enver Hasani has told Radio Free Europe days ago that the device is very clear, and if the parties have will, they can easily finalise the constitutional process, even though it has observed “defects”: the order for the session to continue Avni Dehari, though, according to Hasani, he has committed constitutional violations, and that MPs are ordered to participate in the session and vote, but without becoming public punishment measures.

For the Assembly to be considered constitutional, the chairman and five vice-presidents must be elected.

Only after that do the deadlines begin for the formation of the new Kosovo government. / REL