Kosovo lawmakers voted to dissolve parliament on Friday, paving the way for a national election after Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj resigned last month.
Prime Minister Haradinaj War Crime IndictmentsÂ
Prime Minister Haradinaj resigned after being summoned for questioning by Kosovo’s war crimes court in Hague, over his role in the 1998-1999 insurgency against Serbian forces, when he was a commander of the Guerilla Kosovo Liberation Army.
Haradinaj has once resigned from the role of prime minister after being indicted for war crimes by the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal for former Yugoslavia. He was tried and acquitted twice by that court. Denying having committed any crimes, Haradinaj said he is ready to face any court.
Who Will Be Kosovo’s New Leader?
There aren’t any signs that any party will gain enough support to form a government on its own, therefore, talks about a coalition is expected. Moreover, the last government was a coalition between Haradinaj’s party, the centre-right Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), and the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA).
A Portal for Uniting with Old FriendsÂ
Reports suggest that the new government will be keen on reopening talks with Serbia about normalising their relations and their bid to join the European Union.
Talks gave way last November when Kosovo, introduced a 100 per cent tax on products made in Serbia. Serbia has noted that it is willing to return to the negotiating table only once the tax is abolished, however, Kosovo will only abolish the tax when Serbia recognises them as a sovereign state.
France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US issued a joint statement last week, asking the two countries to reopen talks.
“For Kosovo, that means suspending the tariffs imposed on Serbia. For Serbia, that means suspending the de-recognition campaign against Kosovo.”
A total of 89 deputies voted to dissolve the 120-seat parliament and an election is expected to take place within 45 days.
