Summary of the Week 67

When the goals are clear, not even the heat can stop the shovels: New police stations and bridges—Foundations for conflict or a shared future?

When the goals are clear, even intense heat isn't an obstacle to putting on a helmet and picking up a shovel. New police stations in the north and new bridges over the Ibar River—are these the cornerstones of future conflicts or a better, shared future? The question was raised this week, but many more weeks will pass before we have a definitive answer.

There may not have been much to celebrate this week, but efforts to win over public opinion continued nonetheless. For that goal, no effort or work uniform is too heavy.

“Bridges are not against anyone, they are for all citizens,” said caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti during the laying of the foundation stone for a new bridge on the Ibar. “For Albanians, Serbs, Bosniaks, Roma, and others. So rest assured that with two more bridges over the Ibar, things will only get better,” Kurti added.

For things to get better, citizens in the north believe, much more digging and drilling must be done—but in the opposite direction of the one currently being taken.

“These bridges they’re building are bridges of separation, not connection between peoples,” said a resident of North Mitrovica.

If bridges won’t bring people together, perhaps police stations will. According to Pristina, there aren’t enough in the north, so new ones are being built. Helmets, vests, and shovels again—this time in Zubin Potok.

“The new stations will ensure even better work in achieving security for all, without discrimination,” said caretaker Minister of Police Xhelal Sveçla.

Despite the heat, Europe is working tirelessly too—offering advice, warnings, and criticism—depending on who and where.

“The Prime Minister of Kosovo is quite stubborn, and we already have several cases where he ended up standing alone against everyone,” said Agim Shahini, President of the Kosovo Business Alliance, in an interview with Kosovo Online.

Can President Osmani go up against all MPs alone—or resolve the months-long political crisis with the support of some of them? That was being worked on this week, but although the solution is written in the Constitutional Court’s decision, no one seems to know how to read it.

Security studies researcher Nikola Vujinovic commented: “Ms. Osmani avoids dealing with the political crisis because, in my opinion, she is part of a political equation with Kurti.”

That equation is proving hard to solve. Clearly, it contains too many unknowns—and too many possible outcomes.

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic observed: “The problem Vjosa Osmani faces is that her political fate is not in her own hands.”

That people don't trust others with their fate was shown this week by dissatisfied citizens protesting outside the Assembly—joined by donkeys. Perhaps a few new sets of hooves will awaken some conscience and accountability.