The Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) was unable to review the resignations of Serbian judges after the scheduled meeting failed due to a lack of quorum.

Three members boycotted the meeting following disagreements over the agenda, which also included the establishment of the Council’s standing committees.

The issue stems from the collective departure of around 130 Serbian judges, prosecutors and administrative employees from Kosovo’s institutions in November 2022.

Legal experts emphasize that the judges and prosecutors who resigned cannot automatically return to their positions. According to them, resignation carries legal consequences, meaning that any step must be taken in accordance with the procedures established by law.

They believe that a possible return can be considered only through regular procedures, including a recruitment process. According to the experts, every decision must have a legal basis and guarantee legal certainty and the functioning of the rule of law.

Halilaj: Failed meeting points to serious institutional problems

Lawyer Gazmend Halilaj told “Bota sot” that the inability to hold the KJC meeting is a troubling sign of how the justice system is functioning.

According to him, this situation shows that the justice system is facing serious institutional challenges that must be overcome responsibly and in accordance with the law. Halilaj stressed that the KJC is required, under both the Constitution and the law, to function without obstruction and make decisions in a timely manner, particularly when dealing with matters that affect the normal functioning of the judiciary.

Referring to the resignations of judges and staff from the Serb community, he said the prolonged delay in addressing them had raised significant legal and institutional questions.

Halilaj explained that resignation, as an individual act, generally carries legal consequences. However, according to him, the responsible body’s failure to respond for an extended period creates legal uncertainty and undermines the principle of the sound administration of justice.

He added that if it is established that the judges left their positions and did not perform their duties for an extended period, the KJC could consider disciplinary measures or their dismissal, provided that the legal criteria are met. According to him, such action must be taken in accordance with the legislation in force and only after all relevant procedures have been followed.

The lawyer emphasized that decision-making must be based on the law, guarantee the right to due process and respect constitutional standards. Only in this way, he said, can the decision remain sustainable and withstand any potential challenge.

In conclusion, Halilaj told “Bota sot” that the rule of law requires institutions not to allow prolonged institutional vacuums to emerge. He called for issues to be addressed promptly and professionally, as this is the only way to preserve citizens’ trust in the justice system and guarantee the efficient functioning of the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo.

Burjani: Return cannot take place without a new recruitment process

Legal affairs expert Blerim Burjani told “Bota sot” that judges and prosecutors who resigned cannot return to the justice system without undergoing the procedures prescribed by law.

According to Burjani, there is no legal basis for their return. He explained that resignation is considered a voluntary departure and that a terminated contract cannot be renewed automatically.

He said it would be unlawful for them to return as though the resignations had never occurred. According to him, the issue should not be viewed from a political perspective but should be addressed in legal and contractual terms.

Burjani stressed that their return cannot take place without a new recruitment process. Only after they apply, he said, can it be assessed whether the former judges and prosecutors should be readmitted or whether new Serbian judges and prosecutors should be selected from the Serb community.

He also criticized the European Union’s response to the case, describing it as strange, nonsensical and incompatible with legal principles.

Burjani said that law and order are unrelated to politics. According to him, if individuals resigned from courts in EU countries, they would not be automatically reinstated—or, under any circumstances, even through a recruitment process.

Concluding his comments to “Bota sot,” he emphasized that the voluntary termination of a contract carries very serious legal consequences, regardless of the motives that led to such a decision.

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The session of the Kosovo Judicial Council (KJC) was not held due to lack of quorum, thus suspending the review of the resignations of Serb judges.

Three members of this body boycotted the meeting, after clashes over agenda items, which included the establishment of permanent commissions.

These resignations are part of a broad wave of departures from Kosovo institutions that occurred in November 2022, when around 130 judges, prosecutors, and administrative staff from the Serb community abandoned their posts.

Legal experts point out that these professionals cannot be reintegrated automatically. Resignation, as a unilateral act, creates concrete legal effects and mandates the application of rules defined by law.

According to them, any decision-making must have a strong legal basis, and a possible return can only be considered by following formal paths, such as the competition process, in order to preserve legal certainty and strengthen the rule of law.

Lawyer Gazmend Halilaj described the failure of the meeting as an alarming signal about the state of the justice system. He stressed that the KJC has constitutional and legal responsibilities to act without obstacles and to make timely decisions, especially on matters affecting the normal functioning of the judiciary.

Commenting on the delay in handling the resignations, Halilaj said this situation raises major questions about legal certainty and the sound administration of justice. He added that if it is confirmed that the judges abandoned their duties for a long time, the Council, respecting legal procedures, may also consider initiating disciplinary measures or dismissal, but always ensuring a fair process and constitutional standards.

In conclusion, he stressed that it is essential for institutions to avoid prolonged gaps and manage situations professionally, in order to preserve citizen trust in justice.

Meanwhile, another legal expert, Blerim Burjani, was firm in his stance that judges and prosecutors who resigned have no chance to return to the system without facing a new competition process. He explained that resignation, being considered a voluntary termination of the contract, cannot be automatically annulled, as this would be illegal and would disregard contractual consequences.

Burjani also criticized the European Union’s stance on this issue, calling it meaningless and not in line with legal principles. He said that in no EU country would such a return be allowed, not even after a competition, let alone automatically, underlining that voluntary termination of employment carries serious legal consequences, regardless of motives.

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The acting president of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, announced yesterday that she has signed the decrees for the dismissal of seven prosecutors from the Serbian community. This action came after a prior decision by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council.

On July 20, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council reviewed and rejected the request of five Serbian prosecutors and 15 administrative staff of the Basic Prosecution Office in Mitrovica, who sought to withdraw the resignations they had submitted in November 2022 amid the mass abandonment of Kosovo institutions by Serbs.

To clarify this decision, lawyer Gazmend Halilaj spoke to “Bota sot,” emphasizing that the KPC’s decision-making is based on fundamental legal principles.

Regarding the legal dimension, he stressed that a resignation given freely by an individual generates irreversible legal consequences. According to him, such an act, once it has been approved and has produced its effects, does not guarantee anyone the immediate right to return to the previous position. This depends exclusively on the current legislation and the judgment of the relevant decision-making body.

Halilaj also addressed the political motivations behind these resignations, underscoring that they do not cancel the legal consequences, as the state’s rules must be applied equally to everyone. He also outlined the path that must be followed if the individuals in question aim to regain those positions.

The lawyer explained that the justice system is founded on legal certainty, institutional independence, and the uninterrupted functioning of its activities. According to him, approving a withdrawal of resignations so long after they were submitted and after numerous consequences have ensued would undermine legal certainty and set a dangerous precedent, striking at the stability of the administration of justice.

He added that accountability is a cornerstone of exercising state functions. Any decision to leave office, regardless of what motivated it, entails legal effects that require full compliance with the law. If these individuals aspire to reintegrate into the justice system, the only path is through standard recruitment and appointment procedures, respecting the legislation in force and the principle of equality before the law.

In closing, Halilaj concluded that the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council’s decision serves to preserve the legal order. Relying on the need for legal certainty, institutional accountability, and the protection of the integrity of the justice system, he assessed this action as an essential step for the stability of institutions.

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The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council has rejected the request of five prosecutors and 15 administrative staff of the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica to annul their resignations. These resignations were part of the mass departure of Serbs from Kosovo institutions in November 2022. The decision was taken during the meeting held on July 20.

Following this step, the acting President of Kosovo, Albulena Haxhiu, announced a day earlier that she had signed the decrees for the dismissal of seven prosecutors belonging to the Serb community. This action came in implementation of the decision taken by the KPC.

Regarding this matter, lawyer Gazmend Halilaj shared his opinion for “Bota sot.” According to him, the Prosecutorial Council’s decision is based on fundamental principles of law and not on political motives.

Analyzing the legal side, Halilaj emphasized that a voluntary resignation carries inseparable legal consequences. He clarified that once a resignation is accepted and has taken effect, the return to the previous position is not automatically guaranteed. This process is conditioned by current legislation and the judgment of the responsible body.

The lawyer also highlighted the dimension of institutional responsibility, stressing that every decision to withdraw from a public office, regardless of the reasons, generates obligations that must be respected. He added that if the former prosecutors wish to return to the justice system, the only path is through standard recruitment and appointment procedures, subject to equality before the law.

Furthermore, Halilaj argued that allowing the withdrawal of resignations after so many years would set a dangerous precedent for legal certainty and the stability of the justice system. Such an action, according to him, would undermine the principles of institutional independence and functional continuity on which the administration of justice is built.

At the end of his analysis, lawyer Gazmend Halilaj concluded that the rejection of the request by the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council serves precisely to protect the legal order and the integrity of institutions, relying fully on the principles of responsibility and legal certainty.

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On Tuesday, July 20, the Kosovo Prosecutorial Council rejected the request of 5 prosecutors and 15 other employees of the Basic Prosecution in Mitrovica, who sought the annulment of resignations given in November 2022, as part of the mass abandonment of institutions by the Serb community.

Following this decision, the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, announced yesterday that she has signed the decree for the official dismissal of seven prosecutors from this community, thus implementing the Council’s act.

To clarify the legal basis of this step, lawyer Gazmend Halilaj, in a statement to “Bota sot”, stressed that the KPC decision is based on the fundamental principles of the legal system.

Focusing on the legal dimension of the matter, he underlined that a voluntary resignation act carries inevitable and clear legal consequences.

“The refusal of the request by the Prosecutorial Council for the withdrawal of the 2022 resignations must be read in the lens of legal principles and institutional functionality, and not as a political issue,” Halilaj said.

He further clarified that, from a legal perspective, resignation constitutes a conscious act with immediate effects. Once the document is accepted and takes legal effect, returning to the previous position does not constitute an acquired right, but depends entirely on the legal framework and the assessment of the decision-making authority.

Referring to the political background of the departure, Halilaj asserted that even motives of that nature do not diminish the legal weight of the act, since its consequences must be respected within state norms.

Regarding the possibility of reintegration, he described the only possible path for the former prosecutors.

“The justice system rests on legal certainty, independence, and functional continuity. Allowing the annulment of resignations several years later, after their real effects have taken hold, would create a climate of uncertainty and a harmful precedent for the stability of the entire mechanism,” he argued.

The lawyer added that institutional accountability is essential in exercising state functions. According to him, regardless of circumstances, any departure from duty finds its own consequence in positive rules, and these consequences are binding. The only way back remains through regular recruitment competitions, in accordance with legislation and the principle of equality.

In conclusion, Halilaj confirmed that the act of the Prosecutorial Council serves precisely to protect the legal order. Relying on these pillars – legal security, accountability, and the integrity of justice – the KPC’s decision aims for institutional consolidation and the overall stability of the system.

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In Tirana, the popular movement against the executive continues today with the 53rd consecutive gathering, where the central demand remains the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama and the toppling of the government cabinet.

As usual, the gathering will start around 19:00 at Skanderbeg Square, followed by a march that will end in front of the Prime Minister’s Office building.

The protest organizers have called on the population for the broadest possible participation, warning that the mobilization will not stop for a single day until the demands are met.

For 52 days without interruption, a large influx of citizens has poured into the capital to voice opposition to a wide range of issues that, according to them, harm the common good.

At the forefront of concerns are the Zvërnec project, legislation on strategic investors, the so-called Mountain Package, as well as amendments affecting protected areas and cultural heritage.

Throughout these gatherings, harsh slogans against the government and the entire political spectrum have not been lacking, as participants have insisted on a radical reform of the political and institutional system.

Meanwhile, another symbolic demonstration has been announced for Thursday in front of Parliament, precisely on the day of the final plenary session for this legislative session.

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Civil resistance enters its 51st day today, marking a historic moment in Albania’s 35-year pluralistic journey.

Thousands of Albanian citizens gather every night on the boulevard in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, where they deliver speeches and then march through the streets of Tirana, raising awareness.

Their demand remains singular and unchanged: the removal of the government and the non-negotiable resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama.

Protesters also gathered yesterday, on the 50th day of the protest against the government and Prime Minister Edi Rama, with mass participation.

The protest began at 7:00 PM with participants assembling in Skënderbej Square, after which they marched toward the Prime Minister’s Office building, where speeches were held and calls for the prime minister’s resignation were repeated.

After the speeches concluded, protesters continued marching through the capital’s streets, chanting slogans such as “Down with the patronage system,” “Edi Rama, resign,” “Illiterate parliament,” and “Albania demands revolution.”

During the march, calls were also heard demanding the arrest of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, along with other political slogans.

Organizers and participants declare that the protest will continue in the coming days, emphasizing that they will maintain their mobilization until their demands are met.

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Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, is the only candidate for Labour leader after securing the backing of the majority of the party’s MPs.

His election is expected to be approved at a special Labour Party conference in London.

In his first speech as party leader, Burnham is expected to focus on his political priorities, including economic growth, the transfer of powers to local government, strengthening public services and reforming social care.

He is expected to promise a “distinctly Labour” government, saying he will confront the major issues that, in his view, have been neglected by British politics.

The transfer of power will take place without a new parliamentary election, as the British parliamentary system allows the leader of the governing party and the prime minister to be replaced as long as the party retains its majority in the House of Commons.

On Monday, Keir Starmer will submit his resignation to King Charles III at Buckingham Palace. The monarch is then expected to ask Andy Burnham to form the new government, formally appointing him Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

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Protesters marched through several streets in Tirana, chanting against the government and the opposition. At the end of the march, they returned to the Prime Minister’s Office before dispersing.

Chants of “Rama to prison, Berisha to prison,” “Revolution,” and “New Albania” were once again heard during the rally. Activists, citizens and diaspora representatives spoke from the podium, calling for the resistance to continue until the protest’s demands are met.

The movement, which initially began as opposition to the project in Zvërnec, has now become a nationwide response against the government and the entire political class. For days, participants have marched towards the “Dëshmorët e Kombit” Boulevard, accompanied by speeches, banners and symbols that have become distinctive features of this protest.

Just one day earlier, protesters said they would not back down. It was announced from the podium that the resistance would continue uninterrupted throughout the summer and until September, while citizens and the diaspora were urged not to leave the square.

According to the organisers, the protest will be held every day throughout the summer season, without any break. They consider this period to be the most important phase of the citizen movement and aim to ensure that pressure on the government does not weaken, but increases until September.

The post Large Turnout at 45th Protest Calling for Rama’s Removal, Citizens on the Boulevard: Your Time Is Up! appeared first on Albeu.com.

Svyrydenko’s dismissal

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to reorganise the cabinet of ministers. He has offered Svyrydenko a new position, but did not provide details. In her statement, she confirmed her resignation and her willingness to continue working in the new role. It is likely to be the position of Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States.

The prime minister’s resignation also means the resignation of the government. Therefore, following the appointment of a new prime minister, Ukraine’s parliament must reappoint the ministers. Among the candidates mentioned to lead the government are former prime minister and current Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal, Digital Transformation Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov, and Serhii Koretsky, chief executive of the state-owned company Naftogaz.

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