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Opinion
June 9, 2017 www.intellinews.com I Page 23
Then there is the often radical Vetevendosje (Self Determination) and their candidate Albin Kurti, who achieved international notoriety last year following a spate of tear gas attacks within Ko- sovo’s parliament. Vetevendosje has capitalised on national sentiment by opposing a demarcation deal with Montenegro that is a pre-condition for visa liberalisation and continued dialogue with Belgrade.
Each option has made some audacious electoral promises. The PDK-AAK-Nisma coalition has promised 25% pension increases, a 30% rise in public sector pay, visa liberalisation within three months and €400mn in agriculture investments. The LDK-AKR-Alternativa coalition promised economic growth of 8% and for the state budget to increase to €5bn. Vetevendosje, meanwhile, will apparently double pensions.
Riven by division
Whereas the electoral equation for Kosovo’s Albanians is clearer than it has previously been, Kosovo’s minority Serb community has been riven by division. The Serb vote in parliament is prized because it is a prerequisite for constitutional changes required to transform Kosovo’s Security Force into a fully-fledged army. Some in Belgrade, which has given its strong backing to Srpska Lista (Serbian List), suspect that Pristina is behind the new options that have emerged.
Those opposing Belgrade’s preferred choice – such as the Party of Kosovo Serbs (PKS), estab- lished by Aleksandar Jablanovic (once a minister in the Kosovo government and secretary of state in Belgrade) – have been accused of being trai- tors. Offices used by the PKS founder and his father Dragan, the mayor of Leposavic (one of the four northern municipalities), were attacked by automatic weapons fire in early June, though no suspects have yet been identified. Other lists competing for the Serbian vote have complained of Belgrade-supported intimidation, including threats of dismissal from jobs funded from Bel- grade’s purse.
Though the EU has deployed a monitoring mis- sion, much of the vote garnering will be done prior to election day. Votes will already have been bought (judging by previous elections) and public sector employees whipped into line. Civil society, with widespread support from the international community, has launched a high-profile “I will not vote for corrupt candidates” campaign, but it has largely fallen on deaf ears. Effecting change through the ballot box remains as challenging
as ever.
Though the PDK-AAK-Nisma coalition is expected to come out on top, the process of government formation remains highly uncertain. The prime fear is a political stalemate similar to that which until lately bedevilled neighbouring Macedonia, with the president refusing to grant a mandate to those who came second but who can muster up
a governing coalition. President Thaci has al-
CHANGES ARE GOOD
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