The chairman of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities, Sazan Ibrahimi, said that municipalities were not seeking preferential treatment, but the implementation of the rights and responsibilities guaranteed to them by the Constitution and applicable laws.
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“Kosovo’s municipalities spoke with one voice today. The messages delivered from this square are neither political nor linked to the personal interests of the mayors. They reflect the needs of the municipalities and their citizens. Our demand is not for privileges, but for what is due to us under the Constitution and the law: the budget, property, powers and equal treatment by institutions,” Ibrahimi declared.
During his speech to citizens, he presented the seven demands that the municipalities have addressed to the Government.
Compensation for obligations arising from collective agreements – The municipalities are demanding that the Government assume the financial obligations created by collective agreements, which are currently placing a burden on local budgets through court rulings and enforcement proceedings.
Coverage of retroactive payments for work experience – According to the municipalities’ demand, retroactive compensation for work experience at a rate of 0.5% from March 2023, as well as for 2024 and 2025, should be financed by the central budget rather than municipal funds.
Review of the specific education grant – The municipalities are calling for changes to the criteria for the specific education grant, as more than 3,100 teachers have not been included in the financing. This situation has created a major additional burden for the municipalities, exceeding €24 million during this year alone.
Halting centralization and protecting local powers – The municipalities are demanding an end to centralizing practices and interference in their powers, including matters concerning municipal property, recruitment processes and the exercise of other own competencies.
Accountability for the loss of funding – Another demand is the establishment of institutional accountability for the loss of financial support from the European Union and the reduction of funds from the Municipal Performance Grant.
Compensation for the consequences of natural disasters – The municipalities are demanding compensation for damage caused by floods and other natural disasters since 2022.
Establishment of a fourth grant for capital investments – The final demand concerns the creation of a fourth grant for capital investments, which should be based on clear, transparent criteria established by law for all municipalities.
