Analysts: There will either be compromise on taxes or Pristina government will collapse

Photo: I. S.

If the ruling coalition made up of the Self-Determination Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Albin Kurti and Isa Mustafa fails to reach an agreement on urgent and unconditional abolition of taxes on goods from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, in line with the US demand, analysts see no solution for its survival in power, writes the portal RTK, referring to political analysts.

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Analysts believe the functioning of the Pristina government depends on a compromise regarding the measure, and they see the entire situation as a consequence of US pressure to abolish taxes immediately and unconditionally.

Although it was previously argued that Self-Determination and the LDK also have an agreement when it comes to the taxes their views are now different.

That fact, along with US pressure and warnings of a possible withdrawal of US troops from the Kosovo territory, as well as suspension of funding and implementation of some projects, could lead to the fall of the current government of Albin Kurti.

Analyst Artan Muhaxhiri told Radio Kosovo that Pristina must not be isolated and that Kurti needs to offer an alternative that would be acceptable to the US.

"We are now blocked because the positions between the two ruling parties are tense and conflicting. What Prime Minister Kurti needs to do is be proactive, have an offer to get out of this blockade, have an alternative, which must be acceptable to the United States as well, which is demanding that taxes must be abolished without conditions. Kosovo's isolation should by no means happen," Muhaxhiri said.

Unless there is a change in current relations within the governing coalition, Muhaxhiri predicts that the current Pristina government's is highly likely to fall.

"Kurti must compromise if he is to continue his rule," he said.

Political affairs expert Faton Abdulahu says the LDK needs to condition its stay in the government within a deadline.

"If LDK's approach to assist the Trump administration in the Euro-Atlantic agenda is serious, what the LDK should do immediately is to condition its stay in government with the canceling of the taxes. So, to set a timeframe for abolishing taxes, and if that does not happen, leave the government," Abdulahu said.

He notes, however, that the LDK is not doing so, although, as Abdulahu says, it swears to care more about friendship with the Americans than about remaining in the government.

Abdulahu believes it is an attempt by the LDK to prolong the survival of the government, during which Kurti will intensify opposition to US demands.

On the other hand, he points out, the opposition is divided on the issue of the taxes.

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo led by Ramush Haradinaj continues to insist that the measure should not be abolished until Belgrade recognizes Kosovo's independence, while the Democratic Party of Kosovo led by Kadri Veseli wants an immediate and unconditional abolition.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)