LDK to Support Kosovo Minority Government From Opposition

In an abrupt turn of events in Kosovo, the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, on Thursday said his party was willing to vote for a minority government led by Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje party, but will stay in opposition and not join it.

The announcement came ahead of Thursday's constitutive session of the parliament amid fears that no government would be voted into office and that the country could face another round of elections.

The LDK has now pledged to remain in opposition and not take up any posts in the new minority government.

Several hours before the constitutive session, Mustafa had declared a five-point proposal, which included "a proportional division of the ministries, the Prime Minister and one vice-PM to be from Vetevendosje, the speaker of parliament and one vice-PM from the LDK, with vice-speakers of parliament to be chosen in accordance with the constitution. The day the new President is elected, one ministerial position from LDK ranks to go to Vetevendosje".

If Kurti did not accept this proposal, Mustafa pledged in the name of LDK "to give up on all requests for responsibilities, and all the positions will be left to Vetevendosje. Then the LDK will vote unconditionally, with all its 28 MPs, for a Vetevendosje government without the LDK in it".

He added: "We give them even the Prime Minister, even the Parliament Speaker and even all 10 ministries."

During the short constitutive parliament session, Albin Kurti, as the leader of Vetevendosje, the party that topped the last elections, proposed Glauk Konjufca for the post of Parliament Speaker.

His position was confirmed, with 75 votes in favour.

As the next step, Kosovo president Hashim Thaci is expected to...

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