The Kosovo Law Institute on Tuesday published a monitoring report on the work of the 10th Legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo during a discussion conference attended by representatives of the four largest parliamentary parties.

Criticism was raised regarding the government formation process, the lack of prior information on the cabinet’s composition, and the unclear expansion of the cabinet. It was also stressed that, according to the report, the Assembly failed to be effective in its oversight role.

Naim Jakaj from IKD said the report found that the 10th Legislature began with a rapid pace of decision-making, but in essence reflected more formality than full democratic functioning.

“The process of forming the government was characterised by a significant lack of transparency. Deputies and the public had no prior information regarding the cabinet’s composition, while its expansion was carried out without clear justification. On the legislative level, dozens of repeated attempts to bypass regular procedures by the parliamentary majority were identified. In its oversight function, the Assembly failed to be effective,” he said.

Former Vetëvendosje Movement MP Ilir Kerceli justified the acceleration of several draft laws, saying it was done because new elections were already on the horizon, describing the early completion of draft laws as “good work”.

Kerceli said the government and parliamentary majority acted at a rapid pace and through expedited procedures due to the need for decision-making, not to bypass democracy.

Meanwhile, former Democratic Party of Kosovo MP Arben Mustafa said Vetëvendosje’s aim from the beginning of this legislature had been preparing for elections rather than pursuing a serious legislative or governing agenda.

He accused acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti of presenting more of a wish list in the government’s latest address, adding that the promises were the same as those made six years ago when Vetëvendosje first won the elections.

Former Democratic League of Kosovo MP Jehona Lushaku said the 10th Legislature was characterised by the arrogance of the majority in determining the legislative agenda. She said there had been attempts to break all deadlines merely to push draft laws forward, which according to her would create serious implementation problems for Kosovo because they do not correspond with reality.

For former Alliance for the Future of Kosovo MP Besnik Tahiri, this legislature started badly and ended even worse, something he said was reflected in the wording of IKD’s report.

Tahiri said the 10th Legislature began improperly because MPs were asked to vote without first being presented with the government programme, the list of ministries, or the names of ministers.

The 10th Legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo was automatically dissolved after MPs failed to elect the country’s president within the constitutional deadline.