Skip to main content

Kosovo to hold new general election after court ruling

KOSOVO’S highest court has ruled that a new general election must take place after the cabinet of Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti was passed by the vote of an MP who had been convicted of a crime.

The constitutional court ruled that the vote of Etem Arifi of the minority Ashkali Party for Integration that ratified the cabinet was invalid, meaning “the government has not taken the majority of votes of the MPs.”

It had given the government 61 votes in the 120-seat chamber.

The court made its decision on Monday after a request from 16 MPs from the left-wing opposition Self Determination Movement, which left the ruling coalition in June.

Mr Hoti subsequently created a new coalition but this has now been deemed invalid by the court.

Its decision late on Monday means that President Hashim Thaci must set a date for the poll within the next 14 days.

Mr Arifi was sentenced to 15 months in jail in August 2019 for illegally using €26,000 (£23,000) of public money given to a non-governmental organisation for personal profit.

He is now behind bars after turning himself in in September.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today