Kosovo Opposition Pitches Tents in Front of Main Government Building in Anti-Government Rally
Opponents of the Kosovo government’s deals with Serbia and Montenegro have pitched tents in front of the main government building in the capital, demanding the government’s resignation and fresh elections.
Hundreds of opposition supporters and their leaders gathered in front of the offices of the government, parliament and president Tuesday. Visar Ymeri, leader of the main opposition Self-Determination Movement Party, told The Associated Press they would stay there “until the government resigns and fresh elections are declared.”
They have planned to raise a dozen tents and stay there non-stop.
Since September, the opposition has disrupted Parliament with tear gas, pepper spray, whistles and water bottles to reject a deal between Kosovo and Serbia, reached last year, which gives more powers to ethnic Serbs in Kosovo. In December, the Constitutional Court ruled that the agreement needed to be amended to conform to the constitution.
The opposition also rejects a border demarcation pact with Montenegro.
The government accuses the opposition of trying to take power through violence.
The opposition is also protesting against the parliament’s plan to start procedures on electing a new president.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Hashim Thaci of the Democratic Party of Kosovo is the only declared candidate so far.
The first vote in the 120-seat Parliament dominated by the governing coalition may likely be this week.