July 20, 2025 — Former Prime Minister of Kosovo, Isa Mustafa, has recalled that in 2017, he dismissed a deputy prime minister and eight ministers after they won seats in the Assembly.
Citing this precedent, Mustafa commented on Facebook in response to the recent Supreme Court ruling which declared that acts issued by ministers who simultaneously serve as members of parliament are unconstitutional and illegal.
“Dear friends,
On the eve of the certification of the 2017 election results, after consulting with the Prime Minister’s Legal Office and the Prime Minister’s legal advisor—who today serves as the President of the Bar Association—and in accordance with Article 72 of the Constitution, as Acting Prime Minister I dismissed from duty one deputy prime minister and eight ministers who had won parliamentary mandates,” Mustafa wrote.
The officials dismissed at that time included:
Ramiz Kelmendi, Deputy Prime Minister
Dr. Kujtim Shala, Minister
Dr. Avdullah Hoti, Minister
Dr. Enver Hoxhaj, Minister
Dr. Lutfi Zharku, Minister
Memli Krasniqi, Minister
Dr. Hykmete Bajrami, Minister
Arban Abrashi, Minister
Rasim Demiri, Minister
Mustafa’s statement comes at a moment of heightened political tension following the Supreme Court’s decision, which reinforces the principle of separation of powers by prohibiting individuals from exercising both executive and legislative functions simultaneously.
