Self-Determination: Kurti Kosovo’s Prime Minister-Designate

Albin Kurti (Beta/Armenija Zajmi Besevic)

The Self-Determination Movement on Jan. 20 sent an official letter to Kosovo President Hashim Thaci informing him that the movement leader, Albin Kurti, has been selected as Kosovo’s prime minister designate, following the early parliamentary elections held on Oct. 6, 2019.

According to Koha.net portal, the letter was delivered to the President’s Office on Jan. 20.

A coalition agreement between the Self-Determination Movement and Democratic Alliance of Kosovo has not yet been reached despite “the lengthy talks and meetings,” in which, although none have taken place in the last ten days, the point of contention remains the position of parliament speaker, currently held by Glauk Konjufca, a Self-Determination Movement MP, who had been appointed without agreement.

Both sides sought an agreement on how to distribute the posts in the new government, but neither wanted to change its stand. The Alliance demanded to be given the position of parliament speaker until the election of a new Kosovo president, after which they would let the Movement have that post.

The Self-Determination Movement responded to this request by saying that replacing Konjufca so as to meet the Alliance’s request was out of the question.

The Alliance stood by its decision that the future government should have 12 ministries – five for each of the two parties, and two for minorities.

According to the Alliance’s proposal, until the election of a new president, the prime minister, the first deputy speaker, the second deputy prime minister and five ministerial positions should be held by the Self-Determination Movement, while the Alliance would appoint its members as the parliament speaker, second deputy speaker, first deputy prime minister and five ministers. The new president would be proposed and appointed by the Alliance.

The Self-Determination Movement had previously asked that the number of ministries be increased from 12 to 14, suggesting that the Alliance be given six, the movement five, and three to the minority communities. The Alliance opposes the idea of increasing the number of ministries.