Kosovo Assembly to vote on Specialist Chambers Law after presidential veto

Kosovo President Justina Shiroka-Pula has officially returned the law regarding the Specialist Chambers and the Office of the Special Prosecutor in The Hague to the Assembly for reconsideration. The President noted that while she was prepared to decree the law, she has engaged in consultations to ensure the historical truth of the Kosovo Liberation Army is not distorted.

Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu clarified that the President’s action constitutes a veto under the Constitution and the Assembly’s Rules of Procedure. Consequently, the Assembly must vote on whether to accept the law as is or proceed with amendments. The Committee on Legislation has been tasked with reviewing the matter and has four weeks to submit a report to the Assembly.

Political tensions remain high as the Vetëvendosje Movement has called for clarity from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) regarding the specific articles they intend to amend. Meanwhile, academic Edward Joseph suggested that Kosovo should use the Specialist Chambers issue to negotiate with the European Union, potentially linking legal resolutions to Kosovo’s membership in the Council of Europe.