Stalemate in Valley local assemblies

The municipalities of Presevo and Bujanovac, with majority-ethnic Albanians, face the introduction of temporary measures and a second round of elections. The municipalities have until July 12 to form ruling authorities. Stalemate in Valley local assemblies Riza Halimi’s Party for Democratic Action (PDD) won the most votes in both towns. Halimi told B92 that the problem in both municipalities was that potential coalition partners were asking for too much. In Presevo, Halimi is trying to come to an agreement with ethnic Albanian parties, while in Bujanovac he is negotiating with Serbian parties. The PDD leader admits that negotiations for constituting ruling majorities in Presevo and Bujanovac are not going smoothly. He blames the parties he has been negotiating with, because their conditions are excessive, in spite of the fact that the PDD got most seats in the local assemblies—13. Halimi said that a deal in Presevo could have been struck had the Democratic Union of Valley (DUD) not demanded the post of assembly speaker. “The only problem is that Mr. Destani is still determined to become the speaker of the municipality of Presevo, which, if you ask me, is an unreasonable request,” the PDD leader lamented. The Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), which came second in Presevo, is also trying to make a deal to form a majority. DPA leader Ragmi Mustafa told B92 that anything would be better than having temporary measures enforced—even a coalition with Halimi, Mustafa’s chief rival. “I believe that a deal will be made, and that the differences between the parties will be overcome. I believe that everything will be sorted out by the deadline which expires on July 12,” Mustafa said. Besides Albanian parties, Serbian parties also won a significant number of seats in the local assemblies, but there is no sign of any agreement there either. The PDD has tried to form a majority on both sides, but according to Halimi, all efforts have proved in vain thus far. “The problem in Bujanovac is that there is no deal within the Albanian parties, nor for the moment any agreement with the PDD, which has the most seats in Bujanovac together with the Democratic Party (DS) and citizens’ groups representing the Serb population,” Halimi said. DS representatives from Bujanovac do not see themselves as an obstacle to forming a new majority in that town. Local DS leader Goran Taskovic told B92 his side of the story. “I must emphasize that the negotiations did not come to a standstill because of the DS’ participation in the government, but rather because the Albanian parties could not reach an agreement. There is a possibility that those parties will reach a agreement, as they usually do, at the last minute. Equally, they might not, and a temporary authority will have to be introduced,” Taskovic exlained. Presevo Valley has three municipalities. Only in Medvedja has an assembly been constituted, with the ruling majority consisting of the DS, the PDD and a citizens' group. Riza Halimi (FoNet, archive)

Stalemate in Valley local assemblies

Riza Halimi’s Party for Democratic Action (PDD) won the most votes in both towns. Halimi told B92 that the problem in both municipalities was that potential coalition partners were asking for too much.

In Preševo, Halimi is trying to come to an agreement with ethnic Albanian parties, while in Bujanovac he is negotiating with Serbian parties.

The PDD leader admits that negotiations for constituting ruling majorities in Preševo and Bujanovac are not going smoothly.

He blames the parties he has been negotiating with, because their conditions are excessive, in spite of the fact that the PDD got most seats in the local assemblies—13.

Halimi said that a deal in Preševo could have been struck had the Democratic Union of Valley (DUD) not demanded the post of assembly speaker.

“The only problem is that Mr. Destani is still determined to become the speaker of the municipality of Preševo, which, if you ask me, is an unreasonable request,” the PDD leader lamented.

The Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), which came second in Preševo, is also trying to make a deal to form a majority.

DPA leader Ragmi Mustafa told B92 that anything would be better than having temporary measures enforced—even a coalition with Halimi, Mustafa’s chief rival.

“I believe that a deal will be made, and that the differences between the parties will be overcome. I believe that everything will be sorted out by the deadline which expires on July 12,” Mustafa said.

Besides Albanian parties, Serbian parties also won a significant number of seats in the local assemblies, but there is no sign of any agreement there either.

The PDD has tried to form a majority on both sides, but according to Halimi, all efforts have proved in vain thus far.

“The problem in Bujanovac is that there is no deal within the Albanian parties, nor for the moment any agreement with the PDD, which has the most seats in Bujanovac together with the Democratic Party (DS) and citizens’ groups representing the Serb population,” Halimi said.

DS representatives from Bujanovac do not see themselves as an obstacle to forming a new majority in that town.

Local DS leader Goran Tašković told B92 his side of the story.

“I must emphasize that the negotiations did not come to a standstill because of the DS’ participation in the government, but rather because the Albanian parties could not reach an agreement. There is a possibility that those parties will reach a agreement, as they usually do, at the last minute. Equally, they might not, and a temporary authority will have to be introduced,” Tašković exlained.

Preševo Valley has three municipalities. Only in Medveđa has an assembly been constituted, with the ruling majority consisting of the DS, the PDD and a citizens' group.