Kosovan government collapses following no-confidence vote / Kosovo holds snap election with war crimes court, economy in focus

Further information:

The main trigger of the no-confidence vote was a border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, a deal strongly criticised by the opposition but also an essential step for a visa liberalisation agreement with the European Union. Since the signing of the agreement, the main opposition party organised violent street demonstrations and fired tear gas in parliament.

The political crisis was also fuelled by another agreement conceding more political autonomy for the Serb minority living in the territory.

Kosovo's government collapsed on 10 May 2017 after it lost a confidence vote in parliament. The country's President later called for a snap election scheduled for 11 June 2017.

This was possible through a change of heart by the PDK, one of the parties within the coalition government, by supporting the opposition in the push for the early election. The ruling coalition had been seeing growing discord between its two main parties.

Euronews, 10.05.17: Kosovo government falls after no-confidence vote http://www.euronews.com/2017/05/10/kosovo-government-falls-after-no-confidence-vote

Deutsche Welle, 10.05.17: Snap election to follow Kosovo government collapse after no-confidence vote http://p.dw.com/p/2ckjf

Balkan Insight, 10.05.17: Mustafa Loses No-Confidence Vote in Kosovo http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/third-kosovo-government-premature-collapse-05-10-2017-1

B92, 10.05.17: Kosovo government collapses http://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics.php?yyyy=2017&mm=05&dd=10&nav_id=101238

European Western Balkans, 10.05.17: Kosovo’s Parliament ousts government with 78 votes pro https://europeanwesternbalkans.com/2017/05/10/kosovos-parliament-ousts-government-with-78-votes-pro/

TRT World, 10.05.17: Kosovo government dismissed in no-confidence motion http://www.trtworld.com/europe/kosovo-government-dismissed-in-no-confidence-motion-353291

Balkan Insight, 10.05.17: Kosovars Grow Weary of Border Deal Saga http://www.balkaninsight.com/en/article/kosovars-grow-wear-of-border-deal-saga-05-10-2017

ESO: Key source: Kosovo Parliamentary Election, 11 June 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovan-parliamentary-election-2017/

Reuters, 11.05.17: Kosovo's president calls parliamentary election for June 11 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-kosovo-election-idUSKBN1871O1

EurActiv, 26.05.17: [Opinion] On 11 June, Kosovo must elect a European future http://www.euractiv.com/section/all/opinion/on-11-june-kosovo-must-elect-a-european-future/

EurActiv, 09.06.17: Fragile Kosovo prepares for ‘crucial’ vote http://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/fragile-kosovo-prepares-for-crucial-vote/

Deutsche Welle, 11.06.17: Kosovo holds snap election with war crimes court, economy in focus http://p.dw.com/p/2eTBs

Politico, 11.06.17: Ex-fighters get band back together for Kosovo election http://www.politico.eu/article/ex-fighters-get-band-back-together-for-kosovo-election/

---