Kosovo’s parliament felt the ire of its opposition on the 15th of October when opposition MPs set off tear gas in the chamber. They managed to disrupt a meeting discussing an EU-backed deal with Serbia. A week prior, two MPs were hospitalized during a similarly bad case of political flatulence.
MPs had to flee when Donika Kada Bujupi, an MP from The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, triggered teargas just as the speaker was about to discuss diplomatic relations between Pristina (the capital city of Kosovo) and Belgrade (the capital city of Serbia).
Opposition MPs then surrounded the podium in order to prevent further discussion of the subject.
“I know that what you see today is not the best sight. I have activated the tear gas, because we are left [with] no choice. The government is responsible for finding solutions,” Bujupi, said, as quoted by the Serbian press.
The opposition in Kosovo are keen to prevent a deal that would grant ethnic Serbs greater autonomy. Serbia might send aid to bolster this proccess.
Opponents of the deal believe that it is a threat to the very independence of Kosovo, which had split from Serbia in 2008.
Authorities do not seem to know how an MP had been able to smuggle the canister into parliament for the second time in a row, after they had “learnt” their lesson and tightened security. Rumors persist that it was the police who had provided the MP with the tear gas.
“It is not true that the Kosovo police supplied tear gas to anyone or someone. It is an attempt to discredit the Kosovo police,” police spokesman, Baki Kelani, told the public. So how’d you guys “miss” another canister of tear gas…?
The opposition intends to protest the matter until the deal is amended. These guys also reject a border deal with Montenegro, a neighbor of Kosovo, which was signed in August. That deal would mean that Kosovo would lose some territory.
“Only the withdrawal from these agreements will bring back social and institutional normality in Kosovo,” the parties of the opposition bloc said in a joint declaration.
About a hundred protesters cheered for the opposition MPs.
“The opposition has enough gas to block any session,” Glauk Konjufca of the Self-Determination party, which leads the opposition bloc, told reporters outside parliament. I can tell already that you guys are full of gas.
Then again, I suppose that this is more efficient than a filibuster. Keeps everyone awake, at least.
The US embassy apparently had some people in attendance in the first incident, claiming some of their people had to be treated.
Parliament is scheduled to hold more debates on the issue next week, with Assembly President, Kadri Veseli, calling on the opposition to participate in the dialogue.
“We will use all the power to provide a dignified and normal work in the Assembly. We invite the opposition to dialogue, understanding and respect for the law as we are determined to take all necessary measures for normal operation in the parliament,” Veseli told reporters.
The opposition, however, refuses to participate in the dialogue. Unless of course the EU-brokered deals are called off completely.
“We will not stop until the government starts to take care of the interests of Kosovo. We are unanimous in the decision not allow the creation of Serbian municipalities. The ruling coalition must renounce Brussels Treaty if it wants the institutions continue to work,” said Glauk Konjufca said, according to Radio Television of Serbia.
Sources: RT
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This is interesting. Try putting some shad fish in the vents. That works really good too. Very simple..someone to keep watch, a screwdrivers, and a baggie full of shad? They will think it is a sewer problem ?