Musliu and Sveçla clash in parliament over Kosovo Police uniforms

The supply of uniforms for the Kosovo Police sparked a debate in the Kosovo Assembly between Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Ganimete Musliu and Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla.

Musliu criticized the minister over the shortage of uniforms and urged him to intervene so officers would not be left without them. She said that although the budget had increased, complaints from police officers had also risen. According to Musliu, the police had a smaller budget when the PDK was in power, but there were no such complaints. She called on Sveçla to get involved in resolving the problem from the start of the tender process.

Sveçla, for his part, said the Kosovo Police have the equipment, uniforms and footwear needed to carry out their duties. Responding to Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) MP Fadil Hadërgjonaj, he said that 732 million euros had been allocated and spent on the police during five years in government. Of that, 189 million euros went toward uniforms, weapons, ammunition, light and heavy machinery, information technology, radio communications, vehicles, maintenance and other investments.

The minister said the Kosovo Police (PK) currently have 180 active contracts worth more than 70 million euros, including investments in equipment. He added that more than 3,000 police cadets had been recruited during their time in government and that the resulting increase in equipment needs was being addressed continuously. According to Sveçla, these are the details that can be made public given the police’s security and operational interests.

Hadërgjonaj asked for a more precise answer on when the uniforms had been purchased and how many had been bought, without requesting confidential information. Sveçla replied that the contract to supply uniforms had been signed and that further developments were expected in the coming days. He also said the supply of tactical and operational uniforms had continued and that there were no shortages of them.

After a question from Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) MP Teuta Haxhiu, the minister explained the procurement of regular-duty uniforms. According to a report he said he had received from the police, supply procedures had been launched four times and had faced cancellations and appeals to the Procurement Review Body.

Sveçla said an open procedure worth 11.3 million euros was launched in 2021 but was canceled by the police themselves because administrative requirements had not been met. Another open procedure, also worth 11.3 million euros, was launched in 2023. According to the minister, that procedure lasted up to three years because of six appeals and decisions by the Procurement Review Body.