Budget Committee includes Pristina budget in draft law

Budget Committee proposes doubling financial support for the KLA quartet in The Hague

With four votes in favor, three against, and two abstentions, the Budget Committee supported an amendment to double financial support for former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, who are being tried in The Hague. This amendment was proposed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo.

The following voted in favor: Vetëvendosje Movement MP Ilir Kërçeli, PDK MPs Kujtim Gashi and Mërgim Lushtaku, LDK MP Besian Mustafa, and AAK MP Duat Haradinaj.

Meanwhile, with 6 votes in favor, one against, and no abstentions, the Budget Committee also approved the 2026 draft budget in second reading.

The head of the parliamentary group of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Arian Tahiri, said that this party's proposal is in accordance with the laws and regulations in force.

He added that doubling the budget enables dignified support from Kosovo for former KLA leaders.

"It is proposed to double the support for our defendants in The Hague and it is a very important issue for the identity and reputation of our country and considering that there is a need for more advanced and higher support for the state of Kosovo, it is in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, I ask you with the utmost respect to vote in favor in order to create the opportunity for dignified support from Kosovo for a process that as a state and as a society we have the support of," he said.

Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said that considering that the court process in The Hague is nearing its end, the 8 million euros allocated are sufficient.

However, he expressed his readiness for additional funds if needed and according to him, this could be considered during the budget review.

"Considering that the process is at an end, yesterday we saw the final statements of all parties and the defense, I consider that the current budget of 8 million euros would be sufficient, considering that we are in the first quarter of the year and the process has ended. Joining the wishes of MP Haradinaj and all of us to have an epilogue to the case as soon as possible and to confirm innocence and not to need additional budget, I consider that this budget of 8 million is sufficient, in case there is a need for more, we are ready to consider it during the review," he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Budget Committee, Enver Haliti, expressing confidence that the former KLA leaders will soon return free to Kosovo, said that if necessary, the institutions will allocate additional funds.

"I believe that we all expect them to return to Kosovo as soon as possible and God willing, no additional funds will be allocated and the process will be completed for their return...we will still be at the level of duty and the government and the Ministry of Justice will allocate the budget as much as they need," he said.

Vetëvendosje MP Faton Geci spoke out against doubling support for the KLA four, saying that they are not the founders of the state.

"They are not the founders of the state as MP Tahiri said, since it is at an end, I do not consider it reasonable to continue to defend them," he said.

Tahiri countered Geci by saying that who founded the state of Kosovo is history, and that additional support for former KLA leaders is necessary.

"Regarding the founding issue, I think it is history and a glorious part. February 17 is an eternal date and it is known who declared independence... they need additional support, so it is not something that directly affects Kosovo, but it is something that society grows with support," he said.

Support for this amendment was also sought by AAK MP Daut Haradinaj, who called it the last infusion from the state for the KLA foursome.

"We are at the end of that process and of course endless gratitude to all those who were in the square there, starting from the prime minister who gave support, the president, everyone who knows the history of the Tribunals knows that there is a huge, unbearable cost in terms of defense teams, knowing that it is in the last three months. In this sense, I had asked that we vote for and give them the final infusion. I had thought with the conviction that they will be in Kosovo innocent," he said.

The Budget Committee did not approve the amendment of PDK MP Ariana Musliu-Shoshi for an additional budget for Radio Television of Kosovo. The committee members voted with 4 votes in favor, 5 against and 2 abstentions. /KSP

Mustafa: Pristina's budget was included in the draft law, but the government is continuing to sabotage vital projects

Democratic League of Kosovo MP Besian Mustafa said that although the inclusion of the Pristina budget in the 2026 Budget Law has been approved, the battle with the central government continues, as according to him, there are still attempts to sabotage the development of the capital. 

At the press conference held after the inclusion of the Pristina budget in the draft law by the Budget Committee, Mustafa called it alarming how, according to him, important projects for the lives of Pristina citizens continue to remain outside the budget. 

"We did not allow Pristina to be left in oblivion by political blockades. Of course, the battle continues, Pristina is still being sabotaged in vital projects for it and its citizens. It is alarming that projects that change the lives of citizens continue to remain outside the budget. The capital's ring road is still blocked, the capital's hospital is left in oblivion and many other projects were not included in the budget. The government is still trying to sabotage the development of Pristina," he said. 

According to Mustafa, the clashes over the Pristina budget began in 2023, when, as he said, the Ministry of Finance began blocking the municipal budget. 

He emphasized that at today's committee meeting, through an amendment proposed by him and following the request of the mayor, it was achieved that the capital city budget be included in the draft law.

"It is unbelievable, in the initial draft, as I said before, the Government had completely ignored the budget of the Municipality of Pristina. This is an unacceptable and absurd action, an open attack on the capital and all citizens of Kosovo and a flagrant violation of the law and the Constitution," he added. 

The Budget Committee has approved the request of the Municipality of Pristina that the budget approved by the Municipal Assembly of Pristina be included in the budget for 2026.

At the meeting of the Committee, which is reviewing the draft law for this year's budget, which is expected to be reviewed in the second reading in the Assembly on Friday, the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said that so far the budget has been finalized by the Municipalities of Pristina and Shtime and the recommendation is to include them as amendments.

Rama: Including Pristina's budget in the draft law is an important step for stability

The Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, has called the decision of the Budget and Finance Committee to include the Capital City budget in the 2026 draft budget an important step for the city.

Rama said that this decision ensures financial stability and creates a stable basis for the implementation of planned development projects. 

"The decision, made with 10 votes in favor, without any votes against or abstentions, ensures financial stability and creates a stable basis for the implementation of the development projects we have planned for next year. This enables us to continue investments in infrastructure, public services and strategic projects that improve the quality of life in the Capital. The process has been completed by the Municipality of Pristina with dedication and professionalism, preparing all the necessary documents and tables in accordance with legal requirements," he wrote on Facebook.

Rama added that Pristina will continue its work by ensuring that "every budgetary resource is turned into a concrete investment."

The Budget Committee has approved the request of the Municipality of Pristina that the budget approved by the Municipal Assembly of Pristina be included in the budget for 2026.

At the meeting of the Committee, which is reviewing the draft law for this year's budget, which is expected to be reviewed in the second reading in the Assembly on Friday, the Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, said that so far the budget has been finalized by the Municipalities of Pristina and Shtime and the recommendation is to include them as amendments.