American Balkan expert and renowned professor, David Phillips, has commented on recent political developments in Kosovo, following the failure of the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, to secure the necessary votes to form a new government.
He says that Albanians are known for their stubbornness and the longer the stalemate lasts, the more difficult it becomes to find a solution.
"Albanians are known for their stubbornness. The longer this stalemate lasts, the harder it will be to reach a solution," Philips told Front Online.
Speaking about the possibility of new elections, Phillips states that the current balance of power is not expected to change the outcome, while emphasizing that the time has come for both citizens and political leaders to act with more prudence in the national interest.
"Considering the current balance of power, I do not expect new elections to bring about change. The time has come for both the electorate and political leaders to act with more prudence in the national interest," he told Front Online.
Regarding possible changes in vote share, Phillips says voters appear to be determined and there are no signs of major change, adding that calm and constructive conversations between parties would help reach consensus.
"It seems that the voters are determined and will not budge. American officials need to bring them together and have a sober conversation," he continued.
Regarding concerns that public sector employee salaries could be at risk due to the budget's non-approval, Phillips said:
"This would mean a government shutdown, similar to what is happening in the United States. It would be a bittersweet wake-up call for all parties," he said.
Regarding the election of Deputy Speakers of the Assembly from minority communities, a matter that has already been referred to the Constitutional Court, Phillips underlines the importance of minority participation and suggests that the system would function better with equal representation for all citizens.
"It's bad that Kosovo requires minority participation. The system would work much better with equal representation, instead of affirmative action policies," he said.
On October 26, the Kosovo Assembly met with only one point of order, that of forming a new government.
Kurti, in his speech, had asked MPs to vote for the government proposed by him, although the former opposition did not vote in favor of the incumbent prime minister.
The government proposed by Kurti received only 56 votes "in favor".
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