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DEPUTIES ELECTED FOR THE FIRST TIME DEBATE WITH YOUNGERS, VOW FOR AN ASSEMBLY DIFFERENT AND WITH INTEGRITY

Roundtable 20.02.2020

Kosova Democratic Institute ( KDI ), held today the public discussion “Assembly in the eyes of young people: Challenges to be addressed by the VII Legislature”, part of which was the MPs elected for the first time in the Kosovo Assembly in a discussion with youth. The new MPs have considered it necessary to change the political approach in the Assembly and have pledged to install a new standard of functioning of this institution, which will not be characterized by denigrating language, confrontation but will be centered on citizen’s interest. They have emphasized that they will represent citizens rather than parties interests and they will be vocal in seeking accountability from the executive.
At the opening of this discussion, KDI Executive Director Ismet Kryeziu emphasized that KDI has been monitoring the work of the Assembly for many years, contributing to the increase of transparency and accountability of this institution. He also announced that KDI has been committed to increase civic participation in this process and has engaged about 100 students to be involved in the monitoring process of this institution.
MP Artan Abrashi( LVV ) emphasized that the MP of this legislature has a great responsibility because according to him, the citizen of Kosovo on October 6 voted for change of political consciousness. “The will of the citizens is about a demand for a new political standard…We as MPs must commit to preserving the integrity of the institution we represent’’, he said, adding that the Assembly should have an increased role in overseeing the executive and also to show commitment to respecting the powers.
MP Besian Mustafa ( LDK ), emphasized that it is essential for each MP to build and maintain trust with the citizen by not challenging it. He considered that this legislature should function without party interests and focus on executive oversight as required by citizens will.
“We get the confidence of the citizens and translate it into the oversight we give to the government, as a whole Assembly’’, he added, noting that the area in which he will be more focused is the economy.
MP Eliza Hoxha ( PDK ), noted the need for increased accountability towards citizens by assessing that the system of allocating seats in constituencies would enable a direct link between the MP and the citizen, and would increase accountability. Hoxha also sees with concern the aspect of language and public communication, which has often been said to be characterized by unfounded lynching of various individuals. “We can think differently but we need to know that for great causes we have to be together’’, she added. Hoxha emphasized that during this legislature will be more focused on environmental issues and urban planning.
On the other hand, MP Albena Reshitaj( AAK ) has estimated that transparency and accountability are lacking in the Government, in the Assembly and in all public institutions. According to her, there is a need for higher citizen awareness, which would contribute to a sounder critique that would oblique institutions to be accountable and transparent. The Assembly she said, should focus on the issue of the new rules of procedure and be more transparent in the process of amending laws. Reshitaj emphasized that during this mandate she will be more focused on education and health sectors.
MP Mirlinda Sopi- Krasniqi ( AKR- Nisma ) has also noted that so far, the Assembly has been perceived as an arena of confrontation that has been accompanied by inadequate language. She emphasized that MPs should not have party divisions but be focused on representation of the people, and work on realizing their interests. She noted that the large number of new MPs constitute “a good team’’ that she believes will make a positive difference in the Assembly. Meanwhile, health and sports will be her key points.
This discussion was organized in the framework of series of discussions “Assembly 2020’’, as a platform of conversation between political representatives and civil society to increase the transparency, accountability and efficiency of the Assembly institution.