The mayors of Kosovo’s municipalities have announced plans to protest outside the government building in September, accusing the caretaker government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti of blocking municipal funds and obstructing local development projects.
Prishtina Mayor Përparim Rama said municipal leaders had united in opposition to what he described as discriminatory treatment by the central government toward municipalities not governed by the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV).
Rama said municipalities had allegedly been deprived of more than €344 million in recent years over obligations that, according to him, were not created by the municipalities themselves.
He accused the central government of withholding financial resources and preventing investments intended for local residents, arguing that local governments were being subjected to financial and political pressure.
“Municipalities do not belong to mayors; municipalities belong to citizens,” Rama said, stressing that blocking funds for a municipality directly affects residents and public projects, including roads, kindergartens, schools and other essential services.
He described the alleged approach as discriminatory and dangerous for democracy, arguing that public funds should not be allocated according to political affiliation or electoral maps.
According to Rama, municipal leaders will continue to oppose what they consider restrictions on local government, with the protest outside the Kurti government expected to take place in September.
The dispute adds to broader tensions between Kosovo’s central and local authorities over municipal financing, the implementation of development projects and the distribution of public funds.
