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Elections that elected nothing

18 January, 2011

From: Ramadan Ilazi

December 12 elections at least produced something positive, the demand for a clean government. This is the point from which Kosovo must be raised as winner, not by provincial patriotism, but by truly fighting crime and corruption.

As in Kosovo, democracy is reduced only in electoral democracy, damaging even this process has jeopardized the very essence of this concept. December 12 elections did not solve the political and institutional crisis in Kosovo. Rather, they deepened it by sinking the country into a crisis even more difficult. The challenge to demonstrate democratic maturity is a burden of all political parties participating in elections.

Being aware of the high level of crime and corruption in Kosovo, it would have been a surprise if the elections would turn out okay. It is very difficult to have economic development, political stability and free and fair elections in Kosovo as long as organized crime and corruption that are deeply rooted into the system will disappear. The current situation, respectively manipulation of the elections is leading the country towards a new crisis, a crisis from which Kosovo is likely to raise only by truly declaring war on crime and corruption.

Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, Judiciary and European Rule of Law Mission EULEX are the institutions which have enabled the recent developments in Kosovo with their negligence and indifference. While in 2010 the progress in the fight against crime and corruption has been evident in comparison with previous years, this progress has been limited, minimal and in no way compatible with what the country needs to see in this regard.

Failure to punish the offenders by the judiciary has created the opportunity for third-class warriors, to create the culture of being above the law.

Kosovo Assembly has never requested a report from the institutions regarding the bad situationof the rule of law, respectively the high level of crime and corruption in the country. The events of December 12, I believe they should be called like this henceforth, explains the situation we have in Assembly. We cannot expect more from the members who win seats through manipulations. Many previous members of the legislature have been in conflict of interest and were not able to enjoy the independence of decision making. How can we expect aa assembly member to represent the citizens in a discussion of KEK, or PTK when they are employed and receive big money from these institutions.

As long as the option to overcome the crisis created in September and October of 2010 were the early elections, it is to be seen that the crisis created now will be addressed. In any case only institutional way should enable the solution. One thing is certain: those political parties that would ignore the problem created, and will rush to create coalitions to form the government will further deepen the crisis. Therefore, it is needed a political dialogue which will create the consensus to overcome this situation. Such a dialogue should generate support to reform the election law and above all for cleaning the system from crime and corruption because a clean government may simply be a bit trying to cover the ugliness.

(Published in Koha Ditore on January 17, 2011)

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