The Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, has accused the Kosovo Government of deliberately blocking the approved budget of the capital, describing this as a political decision to weaken Pristina.
In a reaction on Facebook, Rama said that he is speaking not only as the mayor, but as a representative of over 300 thousand citizens who, according to him, are being unfairly penalized.
Support the TIME. Preserve the truth.
Professional journalism is in the public interest. Your support helps it remain independent and credible. Contribute too. 1 euro makes a difference.
Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support Contribute"The new Kosovo government is deliberately blocking the approved budget of the Capital. This is not a technical delay. It is not an administrative misunderstanding. It is a political decision to weaken Pristina," he declared.
According to Rama, the capital's budget was voted in accordance with the law and constitutes an official document of Kosovo, therefore any intervention to bypass or sabotage it, as he said, constitutes a violation of institutional order.
He warned that the budget blockage has direct consequences for citizens.
"When the Pristina budget is stopped, the construction of schools stops, the improvement of infrastructure stops, investment in kindergartens stops, economic development stops. This is not a war against the Mayor. This is collective punishment against citizens," Rama said.
The Mayor of Pristina emphasized that the capital is not the property of any political party and that it should not be used as a tool of political pressure.
"I will not allow the capital to be treated as an adversary. I will not allow the citizens of Pristina to pay the price of political calculations," he declared.
Rama warned that, if the Government continues with the same approach, the Municipality of Pristina will pursue all legal and institutional avenues to protect, as he said, its rights.
"This is not a personal issue. This is a matter of institutional dignity and respect for citizens. Pristina will not be silent. Pristina will not be afraid. And Pristina will not stop," he concluded.
The issue of the Pristina budget was also addressed by the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, during the session for voting on the budget in the first reading in the Assembly. Abdixhiku said that the approved budget of Pristina was not included at all in the budget planning.
The session for the first reading vote on the 2026 budget was postponed to Monday at the request of opposition parties.