Summary of the Week 58

It wasn’t just a day, but an entire week dedicated to work—or attempts at it. The Assembly tried, employees of the closed institutions in the north tried, and so did the citizens who depend on those institutions. All of them hope they won’t have to wait until next May 1st to see results.

This week brought both celebration and work, as expected, with limited outcomes. Even after citizen protests, dissatisfaction remained high.

"Workers’ rights are, frankly, very poor," said one citizen from Pristina, explaining why he joined the May Day protest.

What is lawful and what is not couldn’t even be agreed upon by those who, when they do work, are supposed to pass laws. A new proposal again split the deputies.

“The proposal is not in accordance with the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly, and therefore the Serb List will not nominate a member for the formation of such a commission,” stated Igor Simic of the Serb List from the Assembly podium.

There have been attempts, and by all accounts, there will be more. That doesn’t mean a solution will be reached—regardless of the cost. And the cost, according to Agim Shahini of the Kosovo Business Alliance, is high.

“Politicians are responsible for the loss of this money. They’re responsible because they can’t find compromise, looking only after their own interests. But national interest should always outweigh individual interest,” Shahini said.

An assessment of who must not be at a loss and whose interest takes precedence must be objective—meaning it should be handled by someone from outside.

“All three sides—Belgrade, Pristina, and the international community—need to engage with a constructive role and creative solutions,” suggested Dragisa Mijacic, proposing a model for resolving the issue of Serbian-system institutions in northern Kosovo.

Creativity has also been expected in recent months from those responsible for the socially vulnerable—and from those who worry about lacking employment.

“Users now have to go to Mitrovica to get certificates from the PIO Fund and the National Employment Service, and then come to Rudnica to submit their applications,” explained Nataša Nastic, director of the Social Work Center in Leposavic.

One of the center's users, Ana Vulicevic, added that a major problem is simply not knowing where to get the necessary documents anymore.

“In order to complete the paperwork and even receive social assistance, I have to travel all across Kosovo. And now I don’t even know where to pick up the documents, since everything’s been shut down,” Vulicevic said.

Pristina promises fast and efficient services in the north, replacing the previous "Serbian system." The questions, doubts, and problems will remain the same. But the counters and postal workers will be entirely new, the outgoing prime minister promised while presenting this new service.