Eggcellent Parliamentarians
Kosovo’s parliament had to be suspended on Saturday after an opposition lawmaker pelted caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti with eggs, as a long-running political crisis threatens to trigger another snap election. Europe’s youngest democracy has faced three elections in less than two years, with successive parliaments collapsing under deep political divisions. Kurti, who has been in days-long negotiations with opposition parties over a new president, attempted to delay a key vote when female MP Time Kadrijaj threw the yolk-filled projectiles. “Shame on you!” Kadrijaj screamed as she launched the eggs at the leader sitting in the front row of the parliament on Saturday. She appeared to have come prepared for the food-based rampage, even popping out from behind fellow MPs to throw the raw goods. Suited men swarmed around her, but she ignored them and fired off two more eggs in quick succession before being bundled out by security. It is unclear whether she managed to hit her target.
The session’s chair called for the live feed to be cut, as security rushed to protect Kurti. But the leader appeared unshaken by the incident and said that if having eggs thrown at him was the cost of dialogue, “I am happy to pay this price.” The 51-year-old is no stranger to parliamentary disruption, with his own party members having previously set off tear gas in the chamber to protest against votes when they were in opposition. Kurti’s Vetevendosje (VV) party topped the last election in June with enough of a majority to govern, but still requires a two-thirds majority to elect a new president – leaving the former activist in talks with opposition parties. So far neither side has agreed on a candidate, leaving Kurti in a familiar stalemate.
But after a constitutional deadline to elect parliament’s speaker expired on Friday, Kosovo’s political scene has again been thrown into further uncertainty. Rival MPs have threatened legal action over Kurti’s request for more time to negotiate, and it remains unclear whether his request to delay the speaker’s election will be allowed to proceed. Saturday’s egging, which interrupted the session before a ruling could be made, paused parliament, and another session has yet to be set.
Parliamentary Ponderings
Member of Parliament: Mr. Speaker: half of the members in this house are stupid.
Speaker: Honorable member please withdraw that statement.
Member of parliament: My apologies, Mr. Speaker, half of members in this house are not stupid.
Speaker: Thank you, let’s move on.
President Biden has called for full legalization of marijuana.
Now it is up to Congress to hold a joint session.
What should we do with people who rely on government handouts, but refuse to work?
Kick them out of congress.
If we want Congress to agree we should just replace the people with horses.
The neighs would carry every vote. But hay, at least the housing market would be stable.
August 10th Birthdays
1959 – Rosanna Arquette, 1972 – Angie Harmon, 1980 – Joanna Garcia, 1991 – Lee Sung-Kyung
1961 – Antonio Banderas, 1990 – Brenton Thwaites, 1991 – Lucas Till, 1971 – Kevin Randleman