Kosovo Parliament elects new Government with Hoti as PM

Gazeta Express

03/06/2020 14:05

The Parliament of Kosovo has elected new Government headed by Avdullah Hoti of the Democratic league of Kosovo (LDK). With 61 votes in favor, 24 against and 1 abstention Hoti was elected new PM replacing Albin Kurti of Vetevendosje.

Ahead of voting Hoti has presented his Cabinet, with four deputy prime minister and 16 ministries. The Constitutional Court ruled last week that Kosovo President Hashim Thaci’s decree nominating Hoti for prime minister was constitutional. Thaci gave mandate the LDk to form new Government after Albin Kurti’s Government was toppled in no-confidence vote on 25 March.

Kurti’s party, the Vetevendosje, as winner of elections held in October 2019, has not accepted the Constitutional Court’s decision, asking new elections. The Vetevendosje says forming new Government without winner of elections is illegal.

Kurti’s Government was formed in coalition of the Vetevendosje as leading party and the LDK which was ranked second, but was ousted on 25 March in a no-confidence motion initiated by the LDK after disagreements over tariffs on Serbian goods and managing COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The motion was initiated after Kurti dismissed minister of Interiror Agim Veliu who is senior member of the LDK following disagreements over management of coronavirus pandemic crisis. The LDK justified its motion saying that Kurti as prime minister has deteriorated relations with the US after refusing to lift 100 percent tariffs on Serbian goods, as requested by the US enabling resumption of the dialogue with Serbia. Hoti presenting priorities of his Government ahead of Parliament’s vote said relations with the US were hurt by Kurti’s populist Government. /GazetaExpress/