Over 300 thousand euros is the value of the salaries of ten Serbian MPs from December 2022 to April 30 of this year. They attend the session once every six months, but are paid for the work they do not do. After signing, they do not stay in the plenary hall, but in this form they retain the mandate of the MP.
KosovaPress has provided the payment data for the nine MPs of the Serbian List and one independent MP, who continue to be paid even though they are boycotting the highest legislative body. The opposition parties consider that this is unacceptable and to the detriment of Kosovo’s budget. Even the non-governmental organizations that monitor the work of the Assembly of Kosovo, say that the interest of the citizens is being violated.
The MP of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, Pal Lekaj considers that the government should have discussed with the MPs of the Serbian List.
Also the MP of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Valentina Bunjaku, says that the boycott of Serbian MPs is unacceptable.
The Law on Official Holidays, the Law on Religious Freedoms, and the Law on Higher Education are failing to pass the procedures in the Assembly of Kosovo due to the non-participation of MPs from the Serbian List.
Naim Jakaj from the Kosovo Law Institute (KLI) tells KosovaPress that the interests of the citizens of the Serbian community are being violated.
Apart from the plenary sessions, Jakaj adds that the Serbian MPs are boycotting the committees and the presidency of the Assembly.
According to him, the institutions do not have the competence to determine additional measures for these MPs. However, he emphasizes that the Constitution of Kosovo has hinted that the MP should work with integrity, dignity, and honesty.
Also Viona Bunjaku from “FOL Movement” says that the absence of Serbian List MPs in the plenary sessions is worrying.
Further, Bunjaku emphasizes that many processes are being blocked due to their boycott.
The nine MPs from the Serbian List are: Millan Joksimoviq, Nenad Radenkoviq, Olivera Zdravkoviq, Millan Kostiq, Zoran Maksimoviq, Svetisllav Gjokiq, Ksenija Bozhoviq, Radosh Mihajlloviq and Biljana Makshiq. Meanwhile, Cvetko Velkoviq is an independent MP.
The last time Serbian MPs appeared in the plenary hall was on February 8. They assumed their mandates in November 2022, when their predecessors resigned.
By the Constitution, the Serbian community has ten seats guaranteed in the Assembly, which consists of 120 members.
