In this text you will be able to read the main developments of the 27th day of the election campaign for the local elections of October 12. What promises have the candidates for mayor made? In which municipalities have the party leaders been and what have they promised?
Ismaili promises security in Pristina schools, Hajdari the revival of the "Craftsmen's Street" in Drenas
The Democratic Party (PDK) candidate for mayor of Pristina, Uran Ismaili, promised security in schools during a meeting he held on Thursday with representatives of organizations dealing with pre-university education.
During the presentation of the education plan, Ismaili pledged that if elected mayor, he would deploy 200 officers in schools to increase security. In addition, he said he would increase the number of psychologists and child assistants.
"For me, it is extremely important to build an infrastructure that is friendly, a network that is sufficient for the neighborhoods and Pristina. An impact on quality that means an impact on the way learning is given and promoted. An impact on the safety of students in terms of mental safety, in terms of physical safety," Ismaili emphasized.
And in Drenas, the candidate for mayor of this municipality, Petrit Hajdari, has pledged to revive the "Craftsmen's Street".
"The craftsmen of Drenas are heirs to a work culture that has kept the economy and dignity of this country alive for decades. The 'Craftsmen's Road' is a respect for the history of work, for the hands that have built, repaired, created", said Hajdari. "As mayor, my commitment is clear: this road will be built with standards, on time and with transparency. Because Drenas does not move forward by forgetting those who have kept it alive with honest work".
And in Suhareka, PDK candidate Dardan Berisha shared a video from the place known as "Father's Well", a water source that supplies the municipality. Berisha said that in order to solve the drinking water problem, he also plans to open several other parts.
"With the drilling of two new wells, the city of Suhareka will be supplied with drinking water 24 hours a day. The villages of Gjinoc, Gelac, Leshan, Neperbisht, Shiroka and the economic zone in Shiroka will be supplied with drinking water 24 hours a day. With the implementation of this project, the city of Suhareka will be supplied with 30 liters of water per second," he said.
Meanwhile, in Kamenica, candidate Jona Arifi promised the establishment of a business park.
"An area dedicated to our entrepreneurs, to craftsmen, to those who want to produce, to invent, to grow their ideas. This will be a modern space, with favorable conditions, where together we will give life to the local economy," Arifi declared.
In Kaçanik, candidate Sabedin Vishi asked citizens to decide to continue local governance with PDK.
"Kaçanik needs continuity, good work, new projects, more transparency and care, a municipality that listens to people and treats everyone with respect. We need to preserve what has been done well and improve what can be done better," Vishi called.
The deputy mayor and candidate for mayor of Mitrovica, Arian Tahiri, has presented part of his social welfare plan. He said that this plan is included within the sixth pillar of his program.
"In the framework of caring for the most vulnerable and social inclusion, we will build the Home for the Elderly. Mitrovica will have a modern institution for caring for the elderly, which will provide housing, basic health services, social activities and dignified care. We will provide day centers and provide social assistance to categories in need. Day centers for children, for parental care, for people with disabilities and for the elderly who need daily services will be opened and supported," he said.
Rrahim Tërnava, who is running for mayor of Fushë-Kosovo, said that he will solve the waste problem.
"With our plan to purchase new trucks and an efficient management system, we will ensure cleanliness in every neighborhood and respect for every family in Fushë-Kosovo. Our city will be cleaner, more organized and more livable for everyone," he emphasized.
And in Vushtrri, Mayor Ferit Idrizi, who is seeking a second term, cut the ribbon on the new city square and an underground parking lot. He called this one of the largest local government projects in the history of Vushtrri.
Abrashi promises 20 million euros for drinking water in Prizren
The candidate of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV) for mayor of Prizren, Artan Abrashi, has promised a final solution to the drinking water problem in this municipality.
He said that the investment for uninterrupted water supply will cost 20 million euros, while pledging that during his government, all villages in the municipality will have clean and controlled water.
"Not with improvisations, but concrete investments, 20 million euros for 4 years in uninterrupted supply every day, all day long. We will renovate the water supply network in all problematic neighborhoods of Ortakoll, Jeta e Re, Arbana, Kurillë and Hoqë e madhe, Bazhdarhane. Ensuring a stable supply throughout the summer", said Abrashi.
And in Pristina, candidate Hajrulla Çeku has said that tourism will be one of the main pillars of the capital's development. He said his plan includes investments in the city's 10 main attractions, the opening of a Visitor Center and support for cultural festivals. Çeku has also promised the development of agrotourism.
"We will renovate rural infrastructure, roads, water supply, lighting and sewage so that every village becomes accessible and livable. We will support agricultural families who want to open farm visits, guesthouses and traditional restaurants. The municipality will offer grants and facilities for investments in agritourism as well as training in rural marketing and hospitality services," said Çeku.
The candidate for mayor of Gjilan, Alban Hyseni, has expressed confidence that they will win the municipal race, even without a runoff.
"If until tonight anyone had any doubts about our historic victory in Gjilan without a runoff, tonight those doubts should be put to rest. With just one neighborhood of our city, we have more people than those who bring from all over," said Hyseni.
The same conviction has been expressed by the LVV candidate for mayor of Mitrovica, Faton Peci.
"To all of you expatriates who are coming to Mitrovica these days, I am grateful and thankful beyond words. As for my classmates, a heartfelt message, greetings from the class president and from October 12th, the mayor of the municipality," Peci declared through a video address.
And the mayor of Shtime, who is a candidate for another term, Qemajl Aliu, has revealed plans for the next four-year term of government.
"For the complete transformation of Shtime, in the second mandate, exactly where this building is being demolished, a square and underground parking lot will be built, while the pedestrian walkway in the middle will connect this square with 'Ahmet Shtime' square," Aliu pledged.
In Podujeva, candidate Shpejtim Bulliqi has promoted his work as mayor during his four-year mandate.
"We have found student scholarships with 50 thousand euros, we are closing our mandate with half a million euros in subsidies, scholarships for pupils and students. We have found the education budget for services and goods with 116 thousand euros, we are closing this mandate with a 1.6 million euro budget," said Bulliqi.
The candidate for Viti, Arsim Ademi, has presented his plans for agriculture with subsidies for farmers.
"Subsidies and support for farmers, investments in the agro-processing sector, livestock, drip irrigation systems and agrotourism. Development of orchards, greenhouses and irrigation systems. Forest management and energy saving", are the measures envisaged by Adem for agriculture in Viti.
The LVV candidate for mayor of Peja, Taulant Kelmendi, and the candidate for mayor of Kaçanik, Jeton Raka, promised support for small and medium-sized businesses on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the candidate for mayor of Skenderaj, Hysni Mehani, has pledged to take special care of pensioners, as well as to ensure public transportation in villages. The candidates for mayor in other municipalities also campaigned on Thursday.
Selmanaj promises sports center and Olympic swimming pool in Prizren. Ferati on tourism development in Istog
The Democratic League (LDK) candidate for mayor of Prizren, Driton Selmanaj, has pledged that if he takes over the leadership of this municipality, he will build a new sports hall, Olympic swimming pool, tennis courts and botanical garden.
During his visit to the city's basketball club, Selmanaj said that through this project, the aim is for Prizren to return to the main sports center of the region.
"Our main plan is to build a new sports center. We thought that it would not be good to demolish this hall, but to leave it for exercises, for training, and in the meantime, in this space, we have gone out and measured with a surveyor and there is enough space to build a sports hall with FIFA standards, which can be for all hand sports, not just basketball. Also, in the upper part behind the sports hall, we will also build an Olympic swimming pool," Selmanaj declared.
The candidate for mayor of Podujevo, Ekrem Hyseni, has also pledged to improve conditions for sports. He said that he will support Llapi athletes by creating better conditions for the development of sports. During a visit to the “Llapi” football club, he said that if he wins the trust of the citizens on October 12, the needs and demands of the athletes will be treated as a priority.
"We discussed their needs and requests, which after October 12 will be treated with priority. I pledged that my daily commitment will be to create the best possible conditions for all our athletes. In our government, all football schools will be supported continuously in order to facilitate their activities and not be a burden on families," said Hyseni.
And the mayor of Pristina, Përparim Rama, who is aiming for another mandate, has spoken about the investments he plans to make in the "Dardania" neighborhood, promising to renovate the facades of the apartments and fix the elevators.
"After completing the tunnel works, we are continuing with the remediation of the problems inherited from past governments in the plateau. There will be no more leaks. We will complete the facade of the apartments, the repair of the elevators and we will completely restore the iconic appearance that this complex deserves, 'Dardania' is returning to where it belongs", said Rama.
The Mayor of Istog and LDK candidate for another mandate, Ilir Ferati, has presented his program for the development of tourism and agriculture in the municipality.
"Construction of the View Point at Kërrushi i Kuq in Vrellë, which offers a panoramic point for tourists, encouraging local tourism and promoting our natural beauties. Investments in irrigation systems and support for farmers in eliminating unfair taxes and free construction permits for stables, farms and production and processing units. 'The New Farmer', a program that will provide grants to young people who return to the village with clear development plans in agriculture, agrotourism or food processing," he said.
And the candidate for mayor of Ferizaj, Visar Azemi, has pledged to allocate a plot of land for the construction of new offices for associations that emerged from the war. During the meeting with representatives of these associations, Azemi said that support for them will be part of his program.
Meanwhile, the mayor of Viti, Sokol Haliti, presented the Business Incubator, in which he said that 11 new projects will be developed. During the visit to the spaces where the works are taking place, Haliti emphasized that the project aims to create an economic ecosystem.
"Today I visited the works at the Business Incubator, where 11 extraordinary projects are being developed in the interest of the citizens of Viti. Very soon, the results and fruits of the work from this unique investment in Kosovo will be seen, which will serve as a center of innovation, development and professional preparation for new generations in a market economy," he said.
And the candidate for Fushë-Kosovo, Besnik Osmani, has announced that starting next week, residents of the “Tahir Zemaj” street area will begin receiving healthcare at the new Family Medicine Center. This project, with an investment of 550.000 euros and an area of 1,120 m², is now complete.
Blakaj promises a cable car connecting Istog with the mountains
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo has continued its election campaign with the presentation of projects and priorities by its candidates in the municipalities where they are running, which mainly relate to youth.
In the capital, candidate Bekë Berisha has pledged that, if he wins the electoral race, one of his priorities will be the construction of a center for the treatment and rehabilitation of young people with drug addiction, as a way to offer them support and a return to active life.
"One of the most serious problems our youth have is drug and alcohol use. I have met young people who have told me: 'I have nowhere to go'. This should not happen! For them, we will build a specialized center for treatment and rehabilitation, with professional care and support that returns young people to active life," said Berisha.
In Peja, candidate Ali Berisha has focused on education, which he has said is politicized.
"Hundreds of teachers write to me that education is bad. Education is the basis of the state, education is the basis of development – and this must change. Politicization must be far from education. There are election campaigns where you can deal with politics, but not for four years, brother! During the entire four years they are at the service of a mayor. No! It should not be like that. They should be at the service of the student, they should be at the service of the teachers. Schools should be given autonomy. Schools should have a separate budget – not for everything schools should ask for services in institutions. Divide the budget, they manage it. Schools should be responsible for accepting more personnel. Not everything depends on politics. You are in politics – you can get a job; you are an extraordinary professional – you cannot get a job", said Berisha.
Meanwhile, in Viti, candidate Labinot Bislimi has spoken about the lack of maintenance of sports infrastructure, and has promised full functionality of the fields in the villages of Sogovinë and Pozheran.
"The time of Sokol Haliti must end, because it is a time when investments are neither preserved nor maintained. This field was invested in years ago, but just come and see what condition it is in! Every field that is like this one in Sogovina and the two in Pozheran, which will be closely linked tomorrow with the investment for the Viti stadium - all four fields will function together and be connected to each other. But there will always be someone responsible for their maintenance over these fields. For everything that is done in these fields, we will never let our investments go to waste again," said Bislimi.
The candidate for mayor of Istog from this party, Ukë Blakaj, has promised to build a cable car to promote the development of mountain tourism in this municipality.
"Istog needs a cable car! A project that will breathe new life into the development of mountain tourism and bring people closer to the beauties of our mountains. A cable car is not only an investment in tourism, but also a bridge that connects people with nature and creates new opportunities for development, employment and a better life in Istog. With the support of German investors, a cable car will be built that connects Istog with the mountains, making the city a special tourist destination", Blakaj promised.
In Rahovec, the mayor and candidate for another mandate, Smajl Latifi, inaugurated a sports field, saying that investments in youth will continue.
"This is the 18th sports field that we are inaugurating during this mandate, in addition to the construction of the KLA Epic sports complex above the city of Rahovec. Let the students and young people of the villages of Pataqan i Epërm and Nashpall enjoy it," he said.
Other AAK candidates have also conducted electoral activity, during which they presented their programs and sought support for the October 12 elections.
VV candidates inaugurate one side of the Pristina-Mitrovicë road with Durmish
With the Vetevendosje Movement candidates for mayors in Vushtrri and Mitrovica, the acting Minister of Infrastructure, Hysen Durmishi, inaugurated one side of the Pristina-Mitrovicë road on Thursday.
Now one lane has been opened for traffic, and according to Durmish, citizens will be able to move faster and easier.
"Together with Faton Peci and Sylejman Meholli, we made the Pristina - Mitrovica road a success. Today, one lane was opened for traffic and the long waits came to an end. The citizens of Mitrovica, Vushtrri and Pristina can now move faster and easier. The dedication of our government to this area is unparalleled. The works are progressing at a high pace and very soon we will have the entire segment completed. This road also brings the Shala Mountains closer, the magnificent beauties of our country that are now more accessible than ever. It is more than infrastructure, it is development, connections and new opportunities for our people," Durmishi wrote on Facebook.
Faton Peci, VV's candidate for mayor of Mitrovica, when writing about this path, asked for a vote for "coordination of the development of Mitrovica and all of Kosovo."
In addition to Peci, Sylejman Meholli was also present at the event, who aims to become mayor of Vushtrri in the October 12 elections.
Latifi inaugurates the new sports field: The 18th we inaugurate during this mandate
The Mayor of Rahovec Municipality, also a candidate for another mandate from AAK, Smajl Latifi, has announced that he has inaugurated a new sports field in the village of Pataqan in Upper Albania.
Latifi says that in the future it will be made of a special rubber material and that it is the 18th in a row that they have inaugurated during this mandate.
"The 'Sakip Bellaqa' primary school in Upper Pataqan, from today has a new and modern sports field, which, together with students, educational staff, collaborators and citizens, we inaugurated today. This sports field offers conditions for football, basketball, volleyball and handball, while in the future it will be made with special rubber material, tartan. This is the 18th sports field that we inaugurate during this mandate, in addition to the construction of the sports complex at the KLA Epic above the city of Rahovec", wrote Latifi on his social network Facebook.
Shahini: Proper maintenance is lacking in the "Taukbahçe" neighborhood
The candidate for mayor of Pristina from the PSD, Besa Shahini, visited the "Taukbahçe" neighborhood and said that this neighborhood lacks proper maintenance.
Shahini stated that roads, public lighting, and public spaces need care and investment.
"With Naim Makolli, a resident of 'Taukbahçe', we took a walk and discussed the state of the neighborhood, a beautiful area with great potential, but which unfortunately lacks proper maintenance. The roads, lighting and public spaces need care and investment," Shahini wrote on the social network Facebook.
Berisha promises a center for the rehabilitation of alcohol addicts
The candidate for mayor of Pristina from the AAK, Bekë Berisha, has promised to create a specialized center for the treatment and rehabilitation of alcohol addicts.
He placed the emphasis on young people. “Beka shares his experience of meeting young people addicted to alcohol who said, 'We have nowhere to go.' This is not just a story. It is a reality for many young people in Pristina. "That's why the idea was born: Creating a specialized center for treatment and rehabilitation, with professional staff, with continuous care, with human support," candidate Bekë Berisha wrote on his Facebook page.
Çeku meets with women and girls, talks about new employment opportunities
The candidate for mayor of Pristina from the LVV, Hajrulla Çeku, announced that he met with the women and girls of the capital. He said that he talked with them about new employment opportunities and how the municipality can offer them support.
"A pleasant meeting with women and girls of Pristina, to listen closely to their challenges and ideas. We discussed new employment opportunities and ways in which the Municipality can be a real support for them. In our platform, women are at the center of development policies: more job opportunities, support for entrepreneurship and active involvement in decision-making. For a Pristina where women's voices and work are valued and make a difference," Çeku wrote on his Facebook page.
Candidate Çeku says he has also held meetings with citizens and businesses on "C" Street.
"This area is developing at a rapid pace, with numerous constructions, high population density, with a new energy of community spirit. But, despite this development, basic services are lacking for the residents who live there. When construction is done without a plan and without care for the daily lives of citizens, neighborhoods are created without kindergartens, schools and health centers. This must change," Hajrulla Çeku wrote in another post.
Rama promises investments in "Dardani"
The Mayor of Pristina and candidate for another mandate, Përparim Rama, has promised investments in the Dardania neighborhood.
He wrote in a Facebook post that after completing the work on the Tunnel, they are fixing the problems that he says they inherited from past governments.
According to him, the facade of the apartments and the repair of the elevators will be completed.
"The smell of burek is only in Burektore, not in the Tunnel. Yes, in the Kurrizit Tunnel there is no more smell of burek, only serious investments! After the completion of the works in the Tunnel, we are continuing with the remediation of the problems inherited from the past governments in the plateau, there is no more point below. We will finish the facade of the apartments, the arrangement of the elevators and we will completely return the iconic appearance that this complex deserves, Dardania is returning to where it belongs. Otherwise, the Bosnian burek continues to be fantastic", he said.