The way is paved for the return of urban transporters to Pristina

The Pristina Municipal Assembly paved the way on Thursday for the restoration of urban transport services in the capital, by voting to transfer private funds worth 28 million euros from 2024 to 2025. This was made possible in an extraordinary session, in which representatives of political parties accused each other of the situation. Despite the approval of the transfer of funds, representatives of public transport companies told KOĞAN that the resumption of service provision will only occur after the Municipality of Pristina executes the funds it owes to the company.

With 38 votes in favor, none against, and one abstention, the Pristina Municipal Assembly approved during its extraordinary session on Thursday the transfer of own funds from 2024 to 2025.

The vote to transfer financial resources worth 28 million euros will pave the way for the execution of payments for outstanding invoices of the Municipality of Pristina, and is expected to end the strike that has been going on for four days by representatives of the "Trafiku Urban" company and those of private transport.

The Municipal Assembly session was called after Pristina citizens faced a lack of public transportation, due to a protest by transporters.

And after them, the Mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, said that the approved funds will be used for the functioning of public enterprises, for employee salaries, and for other basic services.

"I publicly request that the funds of 35 million euros, 25 million personal income and 10 million government grants, which only require the will of the minister, be given to the capital. I thank you for the responsibility of being here today," he emphasized during the session.

Although political parties have come together to pass the first item on the session's agenda, their assembly members have been involved in tense debate and accusations regarding the created situation.

Assemblyman of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), Gëzim Sveçla, has accused President Rama's government of causing the crisis.

"The very fact that we are here is proof of the stupidity of the government of Përparim Rama. For months he has been accusing and screaming, accusing the Government. Only when the city was blocked by buses and protests did he realize that the solution cannot be found in television debates," he said.

LVV assemblyman Ermal Osmani also leveled accusations at the Democratic Party (PDK), when he interrupted the speech of the head of the assemblyman group of this entity, Leutrim Retkoceri.

And the speech of the assemblywoman from the Guxo List, Triera Kasumi, was not liked by her colleagues from the Democratic League (LDK).

"I come from a family of LDK activists, my father was for LDK. I feel sorry for you where you have fallen," she said when addressed by LDK representatives, who constantly interrupted her speech.

After the vote, President Rama requested that the acting Government implement the transfer of the approved funds as soon as possible. Acting Minister of Finance, Hekuran Murati, responded to Rama's request.

"Today, the assembly members of the Vetëvendosje Movement voted to transfer personal income to the Municipal Assembly of Pristina. So, what Lumir Abdixhiku and the LDK did not do in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, the Vetëvendosje Movement did in the Municipal Assembly, to unblock payments for essential public services. Because, as has been proven time and time again, for the Vetëvendosje Movement, the interests of citizens always have priority," Murati wrote on Facebook.

The second item on the agenda, the approval of the 2026 budget, has been postponed to another session when the certified assembly members elected in the October 12 local elections take their seats in the Municipal Assembly.

And although the transfer of the Municipality of Pristina's own funds from 2024 to 2025 has been approved, the protest of urban transport operators will not stop. Their representatives have told KOĞA that the resumption of service provision will only occur after the Municipality of Pristina executes the funds it owes to the company.

"We consider it reasonable and necessary that all responsible institutions, including the relevant ministry, accelerate all transfer procedures, so that the company can immediately return to public service. Until these obligations are fulfilled and as long as it remains impossible to resume operations, the protest announced by the 'Urban Traffic' workers will continue. Once the financial means are made available, public transport service will be restored without any delay," they said in "Urban Traffic".