Incidents after local elections in Kosovo
Wed 25 Nov 2009
On 25 November it has been announced that tensions are growing in Kosovar town of Gjakova, after shots have been fired on the municipal building, in a town already divided by the recent local elections, held on the 15th of November. The preliminary results from the Central Election Commission (CEC) show that the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) won 52.8 per cent, while the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) gained 40.7 per cent, ensuring the AAK candidate, Pal Lekaj, was elected mayor without the need for a second round. Gjakova has been at the centre of electoral fraud claims and the candidate from the coalition AKR and Democratic League of Dardania (LDD) Mimoza Kusari-Lila, has accused the AAK of electoral manipulation.
The municipality was quick to condemn the attack, described by the police as a ‘threat to public safety’: “This attack in the municipal building is an attack against the people and it must be the last one. It gives our enemies reason to minimize our efforts achieved so far (in furthering) democratic processes,” Hasan Ukshini, the spokesperson of the municipality said. The AAK has invited all political parties, even those from the opposition in this town, particularly the AKR branch in Gjakova, to distance themselves quickly from this criminal act against Gjakova municipality, a vital institution of Kosovo’s Republic
Preliminary results
Prime Minister Hashim Thaci of the ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has claimed to have won more votes than any other party in the elections. PDK has secured victories in Gllogovc, Skenderaj, Ferizaj and Malisheve. Thaci put his party's share of the national vote at "between 38 and 43 per cent," a reflection of his party's efforts and promises to help local communities with roads, water, jobs and other issues.
PDK-LDK coalition
Serious rumours have been circulating that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) led by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci, will break the two year partnership with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), headed by president Fatmir Sejdiu. However, for now both parties have expressed their commitment to each other. Tensions between the coalition partners have been mounting after a fierce campaign, especially in Pristina, in the run-up to local elections.
Sources: BIRN, B92, UNMIK and Radio Slobodna Evropa
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