AFP, PRISTINA: Kosovo’s opposition released tear gas in parliament for a sixth time Monday, despite a recent reprimand from the US secretary of state over the ongoing disruption.
Opposition MPs have for more than two months paralysed the work of parliament in protest against EU-brokered dialogue and deals reached with Serbia, the country from which Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
On a flying visit to Pristina early this month, US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned the disruption, saying that parliament “is not the place for tear gas and that is not the place for intimidation”.
The opposition nevertheless renewed its protest on Monday, with MPs Glauk Konjufca and Time Kadrijaj opening canisters to release tear gas that quickly spread through the chamber and forced a suspension of proceedings. “This is a collective action by the opposition,” Konjufca said.
“Others have done this too, and we will continue to do this in the future. Our breaching of the law is nothing compared to the damage that is being done by these agreements.”