1 week ago Kosovos government collapsed, in the middle of #COVIDー19 – on top of a healthcare crisis, they are facing a political crisis. How did that happen? Which role did US-diplomacy play? And what's next? (Thread)
Even though a young state and democracy, Kosovo has a long history of successful no-confidence votes. Also 2017 and 2010 members of the parliament brought a government down.
No government ever finished their mandate. With Albin Kurti, hopes where high, that this can happen for the first time. In the end he didn't even make 2 months.
Before the no-confidence vote, people protested on their balconies (while isolated) and urged all parties to stop the political power games. There had been petitions + open letters from journalists, civil society, observers etc.
International community was divided in the question too. While European ambassadors urged MPs to rethink all this, the United States welcomed the fall of Kurti in advance. So this is also a fight between Washington and Brussel. And it's clear, who lost.
Now everyone interprets the constitution in their own way. Kurti calls for new elections. He knows, the polls are on his side. In October voters wanted the old UÇK-elites to go, they wanted less interference by the internationals. Now, Kurti is seen even more heroic.
President Thaci doesn't want to dissolve the parliament, but create a "unity" government.. If VV doesn't respond, he might pass the mandate to LDK, the second strongest party. They might form a new gov, among it Ramush Haradinaj, who was PM 2 times already.
Observers say, without #COVID19 thousands of people would be out in the streets to protest. But as civic rights are restricted, this isn't possible. My fear is, that they will start mistrusting democracy. Especially with the image of the US bringing down an elected government.
It's true that the US diplomacy played a big role. With LDK members invited to Berlin + Washington, getting their arms twisted. Threats to pull back troops + cancel investments. Richard Grenell sending angry tweets. Pressure to get the deal down before US elections etc.
But: in the end it was the LDK, that decided to give away. Even though, they agreed on the 100% tariffs. The case of Vjosa Osmani (who voted in favor of Kurti) shows, that the party has internal fights as well and that the Anti-VV wing won back the power.
In the end, all this is just irresponsible. In a time of pandemic, politicians should listen to doctors and nurses and not fight each other. People feel left alone. In a country, with only 149 respirators available for 1.8 million.
