Kosovo Coalition Talks Falter as Parties Trade Accusations

Hopes of forming a new coalition government in Kosovo suffered another blow on Monday amid fresh mud-slinging between the two largest parties - when the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, accused its potential partner, Vetevendosje, of acting unilaterally to form key institutions.

"I do not believe this approach helps to reach an agreement; the parties should sit down with the intention of finding a compromise between the two sides, realising that they are building the future of Kosovo," LDK deputy leader Vjosa Osmani, the LDK's candidate for the post of Prime Minister, told a press conference on Monday.

Another LDK deputy leader, Avdullah Hoti, meanwhile told the media outlet Telegrafi on Monday that "reaching an agreement [on forming a government] is up to Vetevendosje", adding that "despite the unilateral action taken on December 26 … we still remain open to an agreement".

Osmani and Hoti were referring to the December 26 decision of Vetevendosje to grab the post of speaker of parliament for its own candidate, despite the LDK also laying claim to it.

On Monday, President Thaci handed Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti a mandate to become the new prime minister after the winning party in last autumn's elections finally submitted a nomination.

But, on a video conference, Kurti reminded the public that Vetevendosje and LDK had still not yet reached an agreement on a government, also accusing the LDK of adopting a "take it or leave it" approach to negotiations.

"They [the LDK] have not accepted our last proposal [and…] did not address it at their General Council. The attitude that we only meet for the signing ceremony, that is the 'Take it or leave it' approach, means leave it.

"I believe we can go back, and have an...