Tag: Kosovo

With 20,160 votes (43.95%) Mimoza Kusari-Lila from AKR and Pal Lekaj from AAK with 16,376 votes (35.7%) were the candidates vying for the second round of election in the municipality of Gjakova.

During the debate held at the Municipal Assembly of Gjakova the candidates presented five large projects they foresee to implement in their next mandate. The newly-elected municipal MPs were also present during the debate.

Both candidates expressed their gratitude to the citizens who voted for them and enabled a smooth and democratic electoral process.

The candidates were reminded of the pledges made during the first round of electoral debates, and were given time to further elaborate on their implementation and the costs to be endured. Given that Gjakova is a city with economic potential; both Kusari-Lila and Lekaj centred their projects on economic revival.

Kusari- Lila (AKR) presented the following five projects for the citizens of Gjakova: road and water infrastructure, conference centre for the municipality of Gjakova, “New Gjakova” project, as well as projects in agriculture and tourism. All these projects were based on donations from international organisation, and according to her, during the first three years of her mandate the municipality will be able to fundraise six to seven million euro. Some of them will also be implemented through public-private partnership, enabling job creation for 2,000 people.

Lekaj (AAK) promised the following projects: economic development, including support to large businesses, SMEs, small businesses and family businesses, tourism, the city park etc.

During the debate held at the Municipal Assembly of Junik the candidates presented five large projects they foresee to implement in their next mandate. The newly-elected municipal MPs were also present during the debate.

Both candidates expressed their gratitude to the citizens who voted them and enabled a fair and democratic election process.

The candidates were played the pledges made during the first round of electoral debates, and were given time to further elaborate on their implementation and the costs to be endured.

Agron Kuqi (AAK) detailed his plans with regards to the coach station, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure, sports facilities and many other projects too. Meanwhile Zenun Shala (LDK) elaborated on education, professional admin staff, quality healthcare services, subsidiaries in agriculture, sport, infrastructure and cost cutting.

Five main projects presented by Kuqi were mainly based on the premise of donations from international organisations. They include a factory for collecting forest fruits, master feasibility plan, support to SMEs, Morenica complex, and tourism. While elaborating on these projects, Kuqi left out infrastructure projects which he promised during the first round of electoral debates.

Zenun Shala from LDK presented the following five projects: road infrastructure, green market place, two sports facilities, one public kindergarten, and watering services.

Shala from LDK directed criticism for the current municipal governance, and according to him the mayor had started many projects but left them unfinished. He also mentioned Kuqi’s holiday house, which according to him was built with donations from the European Commission, which in fact were allocated for a tourism centre.

Buja came first with 10,575 of votes, or 36 per cent, while Imri Ahmeti came second with 10,294 votes or 35 per cent.

During the Life in Municipality debate, both candidates came with detailed presentations on five largest projects they envisaged to implement in their mandate as the mayor of Lipjan. The discussion was also joined by the newly elected local MPs, according to the preliminary results of the Central Election Commission, CEC. Newly elected local MPs of LVV and AAK did not attend the debate.

Both candidates expressed their gratitude to the citizens who voted for them and enabled a smooth and democratic electoral process.

Buja and Ahmeti were played footages of their electoral pledges, made during the first round of Life in Municipality debates, and were asked to further elaborate on these project and their costs. They spoke in detail about the ways in which they will implement these projects, the source of funding and the details cost analysis.

Buja expanded further on his plan of renovating the coach station, improving the state of agriculture and his focus on tourism for the next mandate. On the other hand, Ahmeti explained his plans for agriculture, improving road infrastructure in some of the villages of Lipjan and the overall improvements in local governance of the municipality.

According to the 2014-2016 Mid-term Budget Framework, the municipality will continue to spend the largest share of its budget on the budget category ‘Wages and Per-Diems’, while the Subsidiaries will be increased 40% in 2015.
Five main projects of Shukri Buja were focused on education, culture youth and sports, economy, tourism and agriculture, infrastructure and environment and healthcare and social welfare (410 thousand euro), totalling to 12,3 milion euro of municipal budget. The five projects were presented on slides with details on the source of investment and the costs.

On the other hand, Ahmeti’s projects focused on finalising road infrastructure of the remaining villages of Lipjan, sewage system, water supply network, new schools, stadiums and other sport facilities.

The debate was further enriched with questions that citizens sent through the Kallxo.com platform.

The confrontation between the two was tense because Sinani asked Surdulli to apologize for the case that was opened to the court against him for misusing his official position as mayor. The court exonerated him.

“I have no reason to apologize because I still believe that Sinani misused his position. I respect the court’s decision, but it doesn’t affect my conviction, which is based on facts,” said Surdulli.

During the first part of the debate, the candidates were faced with the promises given during the debate ahead of the first round of elections. During the second part, they presented their projects through slides.

Shaip Surdulli presented the water supply factory project for the villages Rogan, Muqiverrc, Hodonovc, Dajkovc. For this project he promised to allocate 587,000 euro and declared that it will be completed within the first year.

Another project was creating a canal in the Korretin village, which will cost 170,000 euro. Surdulli also promised to build a school in the Rogan village, which would cost 900,000 to 1 million euro and be sponsored by the EU. The school will take two years to build. His other projects include building an athletic field, which costs 30,000 euro and the stadium’s restaurant in Kamenica which will cost 45,000 euro.

The total cost of the LDK candidate’s projects is 2.45 million euro.

Sinani also promised projects for Kamenica. His priorities were focused on fixing sidewalks in the center of the city, costing 38,000 euro. Another priority was providing water to families living in upper floors of apartment buildings, which costs 17,000 euro. Also, he promised to repair the apartment building roofs with a cost of 38,000 euro, the promenade with a cost 38,000, fix the park behind the Social Work Center with a cost of 21,500 euro, resolve the greenhouse property problem, construct the business park with a cost of 110,000 euro and maintain green areas for four years costing 45 euro.

Another project involves the Malesia neighborhood, where main priorities are fixing the roads, public lighting and the athletic field near the school. These projects add up to a cost of 380,800 euro.

Reconstruction is also being planned in the Cameria neighborhood, which includes fixing road infrastructure, sewer systems, public lighting, maintaining the cemeteries, and the creation of a sports field. This project will cost of 101, 500 euro.

Sinani also has a project for the Iliria neighbourhood, which involves fixing sidewalks, improving the water supply, fixing the Ramadan Kastrati and the Adem Jashari roads, public lighting and reconstructing the stadium. The following changes are expected to cost 348,500 euro.

According to the plan for Kamenica drafted by PDK, the Rubovci village will also be included in building sidewalks, fixing the roads and public lighting. Expected to cost 56,700 euro.

In the Busavad village, PDK will invest in sidewalks and public lighting costing 59,800 euro. In the Berivojc village, money will be invested toward improving the riverbed, school and sidewalks, costing 312,500 euro. In this plan, the Koretin village will be improved including the river bed, school, sidewalks, public lighting, costing 600,000 euro.Projects in the Topanic village will cost 223,700 euro, 106,000 euro in Hodonovc, 286,000 euro in Rogane, 135,000 euro in Muqiverc, 26,500 euro in Shipashnice e Poshtme and 263,000 euro in Shipashnice e Eperme.The total cost of investments for Sinani is 3,800 thousand euro.

Sinani coming in with 55.1 percent of votes was the winner of the second round of elections held on December, 1 in the municipality of Kamenica.

During the first round, Begaj won 41.89 percent of votes, while Salih Morina won 26.19 percent of votes.

In the second half of the “Life in the Municipality” debate in October 2013, the candidates were faced with the promises they made during the first round, while during the second part they presented their strategies. Both candidates presented five projects on slides.

Begaj’s first project was building the Nuhi Mazreku elementary school in Gurisht, which will cost 300,000 euro and be completed in 2014. Other elementary schools that will be constructed include Imer Krasniqi in Carralluk, costing 250,000 euro; Ramadan Morina in Damanek, costing 300,000 euro; and Deshmoret e Kombit school in Bubavec, costing of 300,000 euro.

Another project presented was building a water supply factory in Drenoci, costing 3 million euro. The construction time for this project is divided and will be completed by 2015.

The accumulation project for a cave in Panorci is an investment worth 400,000 euro. Also, the canalization project costs 400,000 euro.

The total cost of investments is 6.98 million euro.

Morina’s project focuses on building a nursery, costing 200,000 euro. Other projects include constructing an elementary school in Damanek, a cost of 580,000 euro and creating an elementary school in Guriq, costing 300,000 euro.

Another LDK project is in Malisheva and it focuses on constructing the Emergency Center, which costs 420,000 euro and will be completed in 2015.

Urbanization projects mentioned including constructing transit roads with a cost of 3.2 million euro, construction of water collector with a cost of 650,000 euro, infrastructure development of the Mirdita neighborhood with a cost of 650,000 euro.

Morina also mentioned projects concerning agriculture. These projects include building 20 small greenhouses, costing 400,000 euro which will increase the number of commercial farms for milk consumption. He also promised to build a youth centre with a total cost of 150,000 euro.

Total cost of investments is 7.54 million euro.

During the second round, Begaj won with 65.8 percent of votes.

Haziri said during the “Life in the Municipality” run-off debate in November that the elections on November 3 went well. Also, Haziri didn’t show slides to present his strategy.

The LDK candidate was faced with the promises he made during the first set of elections and was given the possibility to explain and present his projects and their cost.

Some promises he made during the first round were that 40 percent of the total income of around 3.8 million euro will go toward basic infrastructure. Another project includes the sewers, which will be co-financed by the government, European Commission and the municipality. He also mentioned that 8 million euro of investment is needed for education.

Haziri also said that debts will be the municipality’s responsibility, and that other forms of debt should be reported to Ministry of Finance. In the first debate, he said said he would reduce taxes in 2014.

Some of Haziri’s main priorities mentioned were: Developing the city, stadium of the city, local businesses, canalization, improving educational infrastructure, industrial areas that will cost around 1 million euro.

During the debate Mustafa complained that Haziri had no reason to not face him during the debate. The PDK candidate dealt with the promises he made during the first debate – presented his projects. He promised to reform public administration, economic development of around 23 million euro and also collaborate with different municipalities.

 

During the debate, Ahmeti discussed three projects during the first set of debates and explained them in greater detail, especially the water supply project and the school and public transportation project. He focused on public nurseries and improving each neighborhood. 

According to Ahmeti, the municipality doesn’t belong to Vetevendosje, but to citizens, he invited all assembly members to present their ideas.

Through a powerpoint presentation, he said that they will create a long term budget plan. He also added that Prishtina municipality’s budget will be increased in four years from 32 million to 52 million euro.
He presented 12 points and declared that he claims full responsibility if his promises are not fulfilled.

“We will have political and social responsibility in case we fail to implement this program,” Ahmeti said.
He pledged twenty-four-hour water supply, affordable nurseries, education, an educational staff this is not affiliated with politics and free meals for elementary students.

The candidate was challenged by moderator Jeta Xharra regarding the cost of the meals, he said would be 350,000 euro. The calculations of the candidate did not match up to the moderator’s. According to Xharra, estimating the costs of the meals to be 1 euro each, said the total cost would reach 2.7 million euro in 19 months.

Ahmeti said that the meals will be small and the cost will range from 10 cents to 15 cents. He continued discussing the domestic product market, creating space for local producers, and saying he will make an agreement with Prishtina restaurants to use domestic products.

Ahmeti also promised to regulate the issue of buildings that lack permission from the municipality. He said that as mayor, he will put an end to illegal buildings.

Health care and local decisionmaking are other priorities that Ahmeti mentioned in his presentation.

“I alongside the citizens in every neighbourhood,” Ahmeti says.

At the end, he said that would be remembered “for non-stop water … in the municipality of Prishtina.”

Sokol Haliti from LDK and Nexhmedin Arifi from PDK faced each other during the municipal debate and received more votes during the first round of elections.

Haliti said that he was expecting better results from the first set of elections; he also declared that LDK will have the highest number of seats in the assembly, a total of 10 seats.

According to Arifi, Viti showed the highest level of participation in the elections. He also said that PDK made a coalition with AAK and AKR.

“I think that the people of Viti are trusting the local leadership, but there were some difficulties that hampered me. That is the reason we had this result. I strongly believe that in the second round we will improve the results for PDK and the coalition,” he said.

Discussing the promises made during the TV debate, Arifi mentioned the reconstruction of two schools in Pozhoran and Begunce. Haliti said that he will divert 6.7 percent from the total budget in order to repair education conditions.
Arifi also mentioned that he will keep his promise of investing 200,000 euro for the environmental efforts, while his opponent planned to invest 1.5 million euro.

Arifi also promised to build the Family Health Centre, which according to him will be built in the beginning of 2014 and the construction will take three to four months. However, Haliti said that if he wins, he will create 13 family health centres. He also promised to increase the number of employees in these centers.

Haliti declared that he will invest 1 million euro on culture in the next four years.

Haliti mentioned that his priorities are to repair the sewage network, road infrastructure, economic development, offer better education conditions, improve sport and culture sectors, and increase public access to information.

According to him, the total budget to implement these changes is 14.8 million euro.

Arifi’s said his first project would be the cleaning of the cleaning of Morava river – a project supported by the European Commission, which would begin in March 2014. Regarding the problems of the water supply plant and sewers – he said those would be addressed within two years.

“I think that those who doesn’t speak about this in public are becoming collaborators,” he said during a “Life in the Municipality” run-off debate in November 2013Stojanovic said that during the pre-election process there were threats against would-be voters. He also complained that ones of his opponents broke the prescribed elections silence by discussing his victory on TV.
CIS candidate Branimir Stojanovic said that the electoral process was largely proper, with just minor problems.
“On the election day there were some problematic moments, [but] I think the entities responsible for security acted properly,” he added.
He added there was an attempt to trade votes, but police intervened in time to stop this.
Regarding street dogs, Bojan Stojanovic said this is a problem throughout Kosovo and there should be places establishes where dogs would be sterilized. Branimir Stojanovic said the problem is the result of neglect, and promised to establish proper place to take care of the dogs.
The candidates also addressed the lack of a school in Kishnica village, and agreed one should be built.

He said officials working for Serbian institutions were threatened with being fired if they did not vote. Mirkovic also talked also about the development of spa tourism, and said there were problems with property issues.

“When it comes to the development of spa tourism and expanding the mineral water factory, the main problem we have is property, which in the past used to be property of the Kllokot spa and nowadays is property of the Kosovo Privatization Agency.”