Kosovo government first to fall in worldwide coronavirus crisis · Global Voices
Banging pots and pans in Kosovo with a sign reading “You are the ones who brought the panic in our houses” and hashtag #StayAtHome in Albanian. Photo by <PERSON>, used with permission.
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After a 12-hour session, the Kosovo government lost a no-confidence vote on March 26 despite vehement opposition by citizens who would rather see authorities united against the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 82 votes to 32, with one abstention, MPs ousted Prime Minister <PERSON>, the leader of the Vetëvendosje (“self-determination” in English) party at the behest of his former coalition partner Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
Recent emergency measures against the coronavirus outbreak exposed tensions in the fragile coalition between the Vetëvendosje and the LDK, which established a government only 52 days ago.
On March 18, PM <PERSON> sacked Interior Minister <PERSON>, from the LDK, over disagreements about declaring a state of emergency, which would give President <PERSON>, also from the LDK, a lot more power.
The coalition deteriorated further when the PM announced a curfew that <PERSON> considered unconstitutional.
The Government decides on a curfew.
The President calls on Kosovo police not to implement it, considering such a measure unconstitutional.
In ?? we are dealing with Covid-19 in a most peculiar way – disciplined citizens and chaotic politicians.
Please don’t try this at home.
— <PERSON> (@VisarYmeri) March 23, 2020
#Kosovo political struggle has reached a new level with <PERSON> now asking citizens to ignore government's new restrictions on movement from 10am-4pm + 8pm curfew, saying they are unconstitutional. He wants a state of an emergency which would, conveniently, give him much more power
— <PERSON> (@ssmairs) March 24, 2020
Quarantined at home, Kosovars have staged cazerolazo-style protests — banging on pots and pans from windows and balconies — in objection to the no-confidence vote that many fear will throw the country into constitutional chaos amid the pandemic and looming global economic recession.
To date, Kosovo has 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one death from the disease, according to official data by the Ministry of Health.
Today in political absurdity: While the whole world rushes to stop the spread of #COVID19, the Kosovo parliament meets to topple the government of firebrand PM <PERSON>. As other European govts extend their mandates, this parliament will leave the country without one. pic.twitter.com/aaGWTdkoRr
— <PERSON> (@UnaHajdari) March 25, 2020
Facing a convulsed political scene and an imminent COVID-19 breakdown, local activist group Replikë called for a non-violent protest from the balconies and windows on Facebook:
Here's the best footage as #Prishtina residents take to their balconies to protest with pots and pans against LDK plans to overthrow the government of #Kosovo in midst of the #covid19 crisis. pic.twitter.com/H2ZbUK7qmj
— <PERSON> (@xhemajl_rexha) March 19, 2020
Protests were held every night at 8 p.m., except for March 25, when it was held at 11 a.m., at the time of the no-confidence motion.
Situata politike në Kosovë nuk është duke u përmirësuar. 739
Kërkesat e mijërave qytetarëve për pesë ditë radhazi nuk janë duke u përfillur nga skena politike. Në anën tjetër rastet me virus po rriten në Kosovë. Po vazhdojmë të krijojmë zhurmë derisa kjo skenë politike t’i ndëgjoj
— <PERSON> (@ReplikeKs) March 23, 2020
The political situation in Kosovo is not improving. The demands of thousands of citizens are being ignored by the political class after five days straight of protests. On the other hand, cases of viruses are increasing in Kosovo. We will make noise until the politicians hear us.
As reported by independent outlet Kosovo 2. 363