AKR: Faton Peci unilaterally ended the governing coalition in Mitrovica

The governing coalition in Mitrovica, which also included the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR), was terminated on Wednesday by the municipality’s mayor, Faton Peci. This was announced by AKR Chairman Emir Abrashi, who described the decision as unilateral.

Abrashi said the reason for ending the cooperation was the ruling by the Basic Court in Pristina in the case brought by Behgjet Pacolli against Peci.

On Wednesday, Pacolli announced that the court had approved his lawsuit and ordered Faton Peci to compensate him for non-material damage related to statements he had made about Pacolli in November 2024.

According to the AKR leader, the manner and timing of the decision to terminate the coalition show that personal interests were placed above those of the citizens of Mitrovica.

Following the decision, Gani Rrustemi was also dismissed from his post. He had represented the AKR in leading the Directorate for Economy, Development, Tourism and European Integration.

Meanwhile, other media reports also said that Peci had ended cooperation with the AKR, while Rrustemi had left his position as municipal director.

Abrashi clarified that the lawsuit against Peci had been filed by Pacolli in his personal capacity. He added that Pacolli had not held any leadership or executive position in the AKR since August of last year.

“Consequently, bringing a personal legal dispute into the relations of municipal governance is unjustifiable and harmful to institutional stability and the public interest,” Abrashi said.

He emphasized that local government should be based on accountability to citizens, work and results, rather than personal clashes.

“Today’s decision shows that such a principle does not apply to our former partners in this coalition,” the AKR chairman said.

Abrashi announced that the AKR considers its participation in the governing coalition in Mitrovica to have ended, claiming that during this period it had carried out “concrete work and achieved results.”

Nevertheless, the AKR branch in Mitrovica will continue its political activity and organization, with the aim of securing the support of citizens in the future and taking over the leadership of the municipality.

“The AKR in Mitrovica will continue its organization and political work with determination, with the aim of winning the trust of citizens and retaking responsibility for leading the municipality,” Abrashi said.