The Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) held today a public discussion on “Increasing Transparency and Accountability to the Voters” on the occasion of marking the International Day of Democracy.

Part of this discussion with citizens was the British Ambassador in Kosovo, Ruairi O’Connell as well as the deputies of the Assembly of Kosovo: Vjosa Osmani (LDK), Fitore Pacolli (LVV). Xhevahire Izmaku (PDK), Ahmet Isufi (AAK).

On this occasion, British Ambassador Ruairi O’Connell spoke about the relationship between the citizens and the elect. “How should citizens compel MPs to do what citizens want? Citizens should not accept bad acts of deputies, they should punish them by vote. MPs react according to citizens’ behaviors and demands, if something that MPs do is unacceptable do not accept it, “he said.

According to O’Connell, the protest is democratic, but according to him in Kosovo so far citizens have protested more on national issues, and not on issues that everyday affect citizens. “If you do not react to issues that affect you every day, then politicians will not deal with these issues,” he said.

While the deputy Vjosa Osmani claimed that during these 20 years, active citizenship in relation to politicians in cases when it was well organized has been extremely successful. “So I invite you to react whenever is needed,” she said.

According to deputy Osmani, democracy in Kosovo is at the crossroads because in these 20 years instead of working for democracy, it has been worked harder to stabilize the state institutions. She also added that for two decades we have “the domination of the minority over the majority”.

Deputy Xhevahire Izmaku said that still a need to work in order to enhance accountability to citizens. She has pointed out that in most cases she meets citizens from the city she comes from while she emphasized that the virtual communication provides opportunities to be more accountable to voters from the whole country.

Meanwhile, MP Fitore Pacolli said that today is the day when we should talk about democracy because as a state we have never managed to go to a genuine democracy.  According to Pacolli, for democracy should be discussed every day in order to create an active citizenship because as she said there can not be a functional state without an active citizenship. She added that the state has not worked enough to create such a citizenship.

Deputy Ahmet Isufi emphasized the irresponsibility of the MPs who are not participating in the plenary sessions and are making the Assembly dysfunctional. He estimated that for the sake of democracy, today we should think on the interests of the citizens of the country and all the political parties should reflect on this. He added that the electoral system does not allow direct accountability to the voters, so we should work to change the electoral system as well.

Panelists have also responded to the audience’s interest in many questions related to the Assembly, accountability and parliamentary transparency.

This activity was organized within the project for enhancing participation, transparency and accountability in Kosovo supported by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).