Vita Factory has issued a response following statements by acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja regarding samples of dairy products.

According to the company, during today’s press conference, Muja addressed several issues for which data can easily be obtained from Kosovo Customs, the Tax Administration of Kosovo and the Kosovo Food and Veterinary Agency (KFVA). Vita claims that the minister merely summarized this information without revealing anything new.

The response emphasizes that, despite repeated promises, the minister did not publish the sample test results, which the company had expected to be made public today.

Vita says it is confident that all its products are labeled in accordance with legal provisions. The company is calling on the Ministry and the KFVA to publish the test results, saying they have not been provided to it for 33 days and that the institutions are now in violation of the law.

“We call on the Ministry and the KFVA to publish the test results immediately,” the response states.

Regarding other claims, which Vita describes as defamatory, about its water supply and number of employees, the company has called on the minister to first consult the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning. According to Vita, the factory holds a water permit and has a wastewater treatment plant.

As for the number of employees, Vita has asked for the data to be verified with the Tax Administration of Kosovo, where, according to the company, its employees have been declared. The response also clarifies that the company’s official name is Abrazen LLC.

The factory guarantees that all products under the “VITA” brand are made entirely from fresh milk supplied by Kosovar farmers, while expressing pride in its position as a leader in the dairy industry.

Vita has called on the acting minister to stop what the company describes as defamatory statements, to properly inform himself before holding press conferences and not to present manipulated data in a tendentious manner, arguing that this approach is strengthening imports.

Concluding its response, the company addressed the minister with the message: “Minister, love your own.”

During a press conference held today, acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja presented the results of inspections conducted by the Food and Veterinary Agency over the past three months at several dairies in the country.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development, together with the Food and Veterinary Agency, presented the results of an extensive inspection of the dairy sector on 04.08.2026. The data, published at 10:59, show that dozens of irregularities were identified, the most common involving the presence or non-declaration of palm oil in products.

Food and Veterinary Agency Chief Executive Bekim Hoxha announced that the operation was conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture between April and July 2026. According to him, the inspections were aimed at verifying food safety, product authenticity and compliance of labels with the legislation in force, as well as protecting consumers.

For this process, the Food and Veterinary Agency deployed its inspection and laboratory capacities across the country. A total of 495 samples were collected as part of the operation and tested for various authenticity and food safety parameters.

The analyses covered fat and protein content, the presence of palm oil and vegetable fats, as well as starch and powdered milk. Hoxha said the results had provided a clear, comprehensive and evidence-based picture of the actual state of the sector, describing the operation as one of the broadest and most comprehensive official inspections conducted in the dairy industry to date.

The inspections and laboratory analyses identified a total of 93 ingredient-related cases of non-compliance. The presence or declaration of palm oil was identified in 46 cases, accounting for almost half of all irregularities and making it the most common problem detected during the operation.

According to the results from the Food and Veterinary Agency’s laboratory, in more than 91% of non-compliance cases, ingredients were not listed on the label in accordance with the requirements of the legislation in force. Hoxha said that, as a result, consumers had not received complete and accurate information about the contents of the products they purchased. He stressed that palm oil, vegetable fats and other alternative ingredients must be clearly declared so that consumer information is accurate and transparent.

The Food and Veterinary Agency’s chief executive clarified that the inspections were not directed against producers but were undertaken to ensure transparency and consumer protection.

Acting Minister of Agriculture Armend Muja said the institutions’ aim was not to determine who was at fault but to bring the truth to light. He said findings must be supported by evidence, laboratory analyses, technical documentation and proper administrative procedures, which is why the inspections were conducted in a coordinated, documented and comprehensive manner.

According to Muja, official inspection reports in a democratic state are not an end in themselves but serve as tools for protecting the public interest. He underlined that institutions must not limit themselves to merely identifying violations, as they have an obligation to respond lawfully, proportionately and effectively.

Muja announced that the Food and Veterinary Agency’s report and findings would first be handled in accordance with the procedure provided for under the Law on Administrative Procedure. He said that, as of that day, a decision would be issued regarding the procedure for enforcing the law in the cases covered by the report.

The acting minister stressed that the Food and Veterinary Agency tests the production, operations and milk of Kosovo farmers. According to him, the quality of farmers’ milk is guaranteed through official inspections, and he described it as the best milk.

However, Muja said this quality is not always preserved after the milk is delivered, which is why the official inspections focused specifically on processors and distributors. He said that, according to the reports, some of them had betrayed the trust of farmers and consumers.

Muja said he had asked the Food and Veterinary Agency to act proportionately, taking into account the Republic of Kosovo’s vital interest in protecting consumers, public health, farmers and approved operations. He added that the country needs the production of milk and dairy products, while support should be provided only to approved operations and to partners or processors willing to cooperate with the Food and Veterinary Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture.

Earlier the same day, at 09:31, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development had announced that, in cooperation with the Food and Veterinary Agency, it would organize a press conference to present the results of the official inspections in the dairy sector.

The announcement published on the ministry’s official Facebook page said the conference would begin at 10:00 and would be held at the Food and Veterinary Agency’s premises. The findings of the final report and the measures to be taken to protect consumers and strengthen food safety were scheduled to be presented during the conference.

Although the announcement about the conference was general, Kosovo’s dairy sector had received increased attention in recent weeks following concerns about the quality and labeling of some dairy products on the market.

The company Vita was at the center of the debate after the Food and Veterinary Agency conducted official inspections and laboratory analyses to verify whether its products complied with the legislation in force. The case had prompted numerous reactions.

The Vita dairy company had said its products met the standards and had repeatedly requested the publication of the laboratory results. The company had argued that transparency was in the interests of consumers and producers, while expressing concern that delays in publishing the results were damaging its reputation and consumer trust.

For its part, the Food and Veterinary Agency had explained that the official results could not be made public until all laboratory and administrative procedures had been completed. The agency had stressed that the inspections were conducted as part of regular oversight to ensure food safety and compliance with the legislation in force.

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The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Development (MAFRD), together with the Food and Veterinary Agency (FVA), has announced that it will hold a press conference to present the results of official inspections conducted in the dairy sector.

The event is scheduled to take place at the FVA premises, starting at 10:00, according to an announcement published by the ministry on its official Facebook page.

The conference is expected to disclose the report’s conclusions and the measures the institutions will take to protect consumers and improve food safety.

The announcement comes at a time when dairy products in Kosovo have come under increased scrutiny following concerns over the quality and labeling of certain items on the market.

One of the companies involved in this debate is Vita. The FVA has conducted official inspections and laboratory analyses to verify whether its products comply with the requirements of the legislation in force.

The issue has prompted reactions from the parties involved.

Vita dairy has insisted that its products meet the standards and has repeatedly called for the laboratory test results to be published. According to the company, transparency serves both consumers and producers. It has also said that the delay in publishing the results is damaging its reputation and affecting consumer confidence.

Meanwhile, the FVA has clarified that the official results cannot be made public until all laboratory and administrative procedures have been completed. The agency stressed that these checks are part of its regular oversight, which is intended to guarantee food safety and enforce the legislation in force.

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However, it remains unclear whether political parties will find common ground within the legal deadlines, or whether the country could slide into an institutional deadlock.

Political analyst Zejnulla Jakupi spoke to “Bota sot” about what is expected to happen after the certification of the election results.

He initially explained that the constitutional phase for establishing the institutions has now begun and listed the main procedures that follow.

“After the certification of the results by the Central Election Commission (CEC), the constitutional phase for creating Kosovo’s new institutions begins. The certification of the results clears the way for the President to take steps toward constituting the Assembly and then forming the Government.

The main steps are: calling the constitutive session of the Assembly – the President must convene the first meeting of the Assembly within 30 days of the certification of the results. At this session, deputies take the oath and the speaker and deputy speakers of the Assembly are elected.

The mandate to form the Government will be given after the constitution of the Assembly, while the president mandates the candidate for prime minister, usually from the party or coalition that has won the most seats and has the ability to secure a parliamentary majority. The candidate must present the government cabinet and program for a vote in the Assembly,” he said.

Further on, Jakupi also spoke about the scenario in which there is no political agreement and the necessary votes to form the Government are not secured.

“At least 61 votes from 120 deputies are needed to approve the Government. What happens if there is no political agreement?

The law and the Constitution provide for procedures, but not always short deadlines that force a political solution. In practice, if the Assembly fails to constitute itself (for example, if the speaker is not elected), the process can remain blocked until the parties reach a compromise; if the candidate for prime minister does not secure a majority, other constitutional procedures for mandating may be followed, according to the interpretation of the Constitution and the practice of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kosovo; if no majority can be created, one of the final solutions may be the calling of new elections, according to constitutional procedures.”

The analyst also stressed that the establishment of the institutions is directly linked to securing a parliamentary majority and that the law, in itself, does not necessarily unblock the process.

In this context, he underlined the need for a broader political agreement, recalling that 81 votes are needed to elect the president.

“So, the process is not automatically unblocked by law in the absence of a political agreement. Constitutional mechanisms provide procedural steps, but the formation of institutions ultimately depends on securing a parliamentary majority and, in cases of disagreement, also on interpretations by the Constitutional Court.

An agreement must nevertheless be reached – a consensus – so that the president can be elected by the parliamentary majority with 81 votes, by choosing a non-political candidate,” Zejnulla Jakupi concluded for “Bota sot”.

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The June 7 election was the third time Kosovo organized parliamentary voting in less than a year and a half.

From this electoral process, the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV) secured 53 mandates. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won 22 seats, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) 18 seats, while the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) won seven seats.

Following the certification of the results, parliament speaker and at the same time acting president Albulena Haxhiu is obliged to convene the constitutive session of the Assembly.

The Constitution stipulates that this session must be held within 30 days of the certification of the results.

At the constitutive session, the Assembly is formally established, the speaker and deputy speakers are elected, and the way is then opened for the procedures to create the new Government.

After the Assembly is constituted, Haxhiu proposes the party that won the elections as the nominee to form the Government, which in this case is the Vetëvendosje Movement.

Radio Free Europe asked Haxhiu’s office when the constitutive session is expected to be called, but received no response.

According to Naim Jakaj, a researcher at the Kosovo Law Institute (IKD), although there is a constitutional deadline of 30 days from the certification, the session could also be convened much earlier.

“Given that the election results are already known, there is no objective reason for the process to be dragged out,” he said.

As an example, in the most recent parliamentary elections held months ago, the elected deputies constituted the Assembly and voted in the new Government on the same day, in a single session on February 11.

This had happened after representatives of the parliamentary parties and the then speaker of the Assembly, Dimal Basha, had agreed in advance on the agenda, including a package vote on the Assembly’s deputy speakers.

The process had also been eased by the convincing victory of the party of acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, the Vetëvendosje Movement.

Since the ruling party appears to have the votes to constitute the Assembly and to form the Government, these two processes are not expected to face obstacles.

However, another issue could keep the country in a political and institutional crisis: the election of the new president.

Kurti’s party has won 53 seats in the 120-seat Assembly, while it needs at least 61 for the Assembly and the new Government.

Given Kurti’s cooperation so far with non-Serb minority parties, which hold 10 seats, votes for this process are not expected to be a problem.

LVV official Arbërie Nagavci told RFE days ago that the ruling party has secured the votes to form the new Government and that it will seek consensus with other parties for the election of the president.

Jakaj believes that Kurti will have to sit down with opposition parties to reach a political agreement, so that the country can have the long-term functioning of its institutions.

“A party that puts the state’s interest first should bear in mind that any delay in the formation of institutions produces costs for the country, whether in European integration, economic development, the implementation of reforms, or the loss of important opportunities for citizens,” Jakaj said.

For the vote for Kosovo’s president to be valid, the presence of 2/3 of deputies in the 120-seat Assembly is required.

If a political agreement is lacking, this remains impossible for any parliamentary party.

The Constitution provides that the president must be elected within 60 days from the day the Assembly is constituted.

If this does not happen, then the Assembly is dissolved and the country goes to new elections, Jakaj said.

So far, political parties have not held talks on a possible political agreement regarding the president.

Kurti has said he is ready for talks with other parties, while Nagavci told RFE that their party “will do everything” within its mandate to secure the votes needed to elect the new president.

PDK has said it would be open to talks with all parties, without excluding LVV, while LDK has set several preconditions for an agreement on the creation of new institutions, including the issue of American gas.

Jakaj stressed that the parties’ statements so far “show that the road to an agreement will not be easy.”

“Kurti has expressed readiness for dialogue with the other parties. But full transparency is needed here so that it is known whether this is genuine will. Public statements are not enough. There is no obstacle to the parties immediately starting discussions on a political agreement, because any delay increases the risk of a new institutional crisis and repeated elections,” Jakaj stressed.

If the country goes to elections again, then they would be the fourth parliamentary elections since the beginning of 2025.

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One day after the results for ninth-grade students were made public, the enrollment competition for 10th grade has opened. The process began today and will remain open until July 9.

According to data published by the Ministry of Education, more than 21,000 students sat the Achievement Test this year, while the nationwide average stood at 48.35%, or below 50%. The best performance was recorded in English language, history and Albanian language. On the other hand, the weakest results were recorded in Chemistry and Mathematics, followed by Biology, Physics, Informatics and Geography. Education experts assess that these results reflect the same trend as in previous years.

“The results are the same as in the previous testing and there is no substantial change. A downward trend in performance is noticeable, especially in the Albanian language, and this shows the need for greater attention from institutions to ensure that students are acquiring the proper knowledge in these key areas,” says education expert Rinor Qehaja.

However, school leaders say their focus remains on working toward the highest possible student results.

“Every year we also conduct an internal achievement test. As the testing period comes to an end, we carry out a thorough analysis of the results, and we also analyze the scores from the achievement test. Then, we do these analyses again in August, when we assess the results from the previous year, and they help us identify setbacks and review achievements,” said Visar Osmani, director of the ‘Emin Duraku’ school.

The Ministry of Education and Science has also underlined that the Achievement Test results provide a picture of the level of competency acquisition by students at the end of lower secondary education and that they will serve as a basis for identifying priorities and planning measures to improve quality in education.

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All five complaints were rejected as unfounded.

Through judgment AA.nr.29/2026, the Supreme Court dismissed as unfounded the complaint of the Serb List, filed against ECAP decision ZP.Anr.56/2026.

In its complaint, the Serb List had claimed that the political entity “GI – Za Slobodu, Pravdu i Opstanak” (ZSPO) had won the reserved mandate for the Serb community mainly thanks to votes received in municipalities and polling stations with an Albanian majority, arguing that in this way the constitutional purpose of authentic representation of the Serb community had been undermined.

The Supreme Court found that these claims do not stand. According to its reasoning, the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo and the Law on General Elections define the vote as personal, equal, free and secret, while the Voters List does not contain data on the ethnic affiliation of voters. Consequently, there is no legal basis for the validity or legal effect of a vote to be conditioned by the voter’s ethnic affiliation or by the demographic composition of the place where it was cast.

The Court also found that the complainant had not provided concrete evidence proving vote manipulation or any other electoral irregularity affecting the result. According to the Court, the claims were based on assumptions and statistical comparisons, which do not constitute a legal basis for intervening in the election result. It was also assessed that the very political entity that won the contested mandate is a registered entity for the representation of the Serb community, and therefore it cannot be considered that the constitutional mechanism of guaranteed seats was undermined.

With judgment AA.nr.30/2026, the Supreme Court also rejected as unfounded the complaint of candidate Emilija Rexhepi, from the political entity Nova Demokratska Stranka (NDS), filed against ECAP decision ZP.Anr.57/2026.

Rexhepi had challenged the ECAP decision by claiming that there was a discrepancy between the demographic structure of the settlement and the election result, and had requested the annulment of these votes for the purpose of allocating the guaranteed mandate for the Bosniak community.

The Court found that the complainant’s claims were based on statistical and demographic interpretations, which do not provide a legal basis to contest the validity of votes or the election result. According to it, the electoral legislation of the Republic of Kosovo does not recognize the ethnic structure of the population as a criterion for assessing the legality of voting or election results.

The Supreme Court also emphasized that the Voters List does not contain data on the ethnic affiliation of voters, while the Central Election Commission does not collect, administer or process such data. Consequently, there is no legal basis for ballots to be declared invalid on the basis of assumptions related to the ethnic affiliation of voters.

The panel of the Supreme Court further found that the complainant had not presented clear and convincing evidence of vote manipulation, interference in the voting process, breach of the chain of custody or violations of electoral procedures, as provided for in the Law on General Elections.

In judgment AA.nr.31/2026, the Supreme Court also dismissed as unfounded another complaint by candidate Emilija Rexhepi, from Nova Demokratska Stranka (NDS), filed against ECAP decision ZP.A.nr.58/2026.

In this case, the complainant had requested verification of the legality of the use of votes won by the political entity Za Slobodu, Pravdu i Opstanak (ZSPO) in six polling centers in the Municipality of Prizren. She claimed that these votes had been obtained in settlements with a Bosniak-majority community and that this should be verified in order to protect the guaranteed seats for the Serb community.

The Supreme Court found that the ECAP decision was correct and supported by law, since the electoral legislation does not link the validity of the vote to the ethnic affiliation of the voter and there is no constitutional or legal basis for votes to be assessed according to the ethnic structure of a settlement.

According to the Court, the right to vote is individual and every citizen is free to vote for the political entity of their choice, regardless of ethnic affiliation.

The Court also recalled that the Constitution simultaneously guarantees the individual right to vote and the mechanism of guaranteed seats for non-majority communities, but these guarantees do not give electoral bodies or courts the right to categorize votes according to the ethnic affiliation of voters or to draw conclusions about their validity on the basis of demographic data.

The Court also found that the complainant had not provided concrete evidence of ballot manipulation, interference with election materials or any other violation of the electoral process. According to it, a statistical discrepancy between the demographic structure of settlements and the number of votes received by a political entity, in the absence of evidence of electoral irregularities and a clear legal basis, cannot produce legal consequences regarding the validity of votes or the election result.

With judgment AA.nr.32/2026, the Supreme Court rejected as unfounded the complaint of Bekim Haxhiu, a candidate for deputy in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo from the political entity Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), filed against ECAP decision ZP.Anr.54/2026.

Haxhiu had claimed that the ECAP decision was based on an incorrect and incomplete determination of the facts, on the incorrect application of substantive and procedural electoral law, and that his constitutional rights to be elected, procedural equality and the right to an effective legal remedy had been violated.

He had requested a full recount of the preferential votes of PDK candidates in polling stations that were not included in the sample of 185 polling stations.

The Supreme Court found that the complainant had not presented sufficient evidence to justify a full recount, while the report of the Central Election Commission (CEC) on the recount of 185 polling stations did not constitute a sufficient basis for such action.

According to the Court, the corrections identified or reflected in the report do not create an objective basis for concluding that the counting process was characterized by systematic irregularities. The nature and distribution of these corrections, in its assessment, show that they were sporadic and did not reach such a level as to undermine the credibility of the final result or the integrity of the counting process.

Meanwhile, with judgment AA.nr.33/2026, the Supreme Court rejected as unfounded the complaint of parliamentary candidate Qëndrim Kryeziu, from the political entity Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), headquartered in Prishtina, filed against ECAP decision ZP.Anr.55/2026.

Kryeziu had claimed that ECAP had wrongly treated his complaint as a matter already adjudicated, even though, according to him, the complaint raised a broader issue concerning the credibility of the final result of the PDK list. He argued that the changes identified in 90 of 110 PDK candidates, at a time when only a small portion of the votes had been verified, raised doubts about the accuracy of the final result. He also claimed that the CEC report proved the existence of a systematic flaw in the initial counting process and requested a full recount of the preferential votes of PDK candidates, as well as the suspension of certification of the election result until the completion of this process.

After reviewing the case file, the Supreme Court found that ECAP had properly addressed the complainant’s claims and had concluded that the complaint was unfounded. The Court found that the claims presented were based on the same data and recount results that had also been reviewed earlier, while the CEC report did not prove the existence of systematic irregularities that would require a full recount of votes. It was also found that the recount of 185 polling stations had been carried out within the control mechanisms provided for by electoral legislation and not as a result of a finding of systematic irregularities in the counting process.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court found that the ECAP decisions were made in accordance with the Constitution and Law no. 08/L-228 on General Elections in the Republic of Kosovo, while the appellate claims were not supported by convincing evidence that would justify intervention in the final election results.

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In a brief statement to kp, he said they are currently waiting for the certification of the results.

“We are waiting for the certification of the results, thank you,” Kurti said briefly.

The Central Election Commission has announced the results of the June 7 elections, in which VV received 47.13%, PDK 19.44%, LDK 16.69% and AAK 6.74%.

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In a statement to the media, Kurti stressed that the certification of the results is being awaited first, as well as the review of complaints.

He said that the necessary discussions will take place only after this process is completed.

“First we have to wait for the certification of the election results, and the handling of complaints, and then without losing time we will have the necessary communications and discussions,” Kurti said.

Currently, the role of acting president is being held by Albulena Haxhiu, following the end of Vjosa Osmani’s presidential mandate in April.

The final results of the June 7 elections were announced by the Central Election Commission on June 27.

From these elections, Vetëvendosje emerged as the leading force in a pre-election coalition with Guxo and Alternativa, with 47.13% and 53 seats. The Democratic Party of Kosovo won 19.44% and 22 seats, the Democratic League of Kosovo 16.69% and 18 seats, while the Alliance won 6.74% and seven seats.

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CEC Chairman Kreshnik Radoniqi said after the Commission completed the vote count that “With 10 votes in favor, the final result of the June 7, 2026 elections is declared.”

He also explained that, following this decision, candidates may file complaints against the announcement of the result within 48 hours, starting from 12:00 today and ending at 12:00 on Monday.

According to Radoniqi, Vetëvendosje Movement, with 47.13%, secured 53 seats; the Democratic Party of Kosovo, with 19.44%, won 22 seats; the Democratic League of Kosovo won 18 seats; while the Alliance won seven seats.

The CEC had been scheduled to meet today at 11:00, with the announcement of the final results of the early elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, held on June 7, on the agenda.

According to the preliminary results published earlier, the Vetëvendosje Movement will have 53 MPs, the PDK 22 MPs, the LDK 18, while the Alliance will have 7 MPs.

Following the announcement of the final results by the CEC, procedures are expected to begin for their certification, followed by talks on forming the new institutions.

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