MR. HALIMI: “THE PDD GOES TO THE POLLS”

11. February 2014.

Presevo – The Leader of the Party of Democratic Action (PDD) Riza Halimi said that it was decided at a meeting that the party would participate in the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 16.

Such a decision was reached despite the dissatisfaction caused by the problems in Presevo and Bujanovac and the abolition of the Basic Court in Presevo.

Mr. Halimi said he expected that it would be difficult without other parties and groups of people from Presevo and Bujanovac participating in the local self-government, who had decided to boycott the parliamentary elections, but that he expected that the PDD would be able to collect 10,000 signatures, which are necessary for submitting the party’s list of MP candidates, by February 28.

“The vast majority of the PDD members voted last night in Presevo for the party’s continued participation in all levels of the elections, especially in the local and parliamentary ones, as well as in those for the Albanian National Council, although huge problems were discussed and discontent emerged throughout the meeting, especially in Presevo, due to the abolition of the Basic Court ", said Mr. Halimi.

He stated that it hadn’t yet been decided who would be on the party’s list of MP candidates, but that the issue would be discussed while the signatures would be collected.

In the previous two elections, those held in 2008 and 2012, the PDD participated in the parliamentary elections with the "Coalition of the Albanians from the Presevo Valley", when the Albanian parties from South Serbia managed to win one seat in the Parliament, while Riza Halimi was an MP during both mandates.
The Albanian parties, which were part of the "Coalition of the Albanians from the Presevo Valley " during the last elections and which include the Movement for Democratic Progress (PDP), the Leader of which is Jonuz Musliu, the Democratic Union of the Valley (DUD), the Leader of which is Skender Destani and the Democratic Union of the Albanians (DUA), the Leader of which is Rahmi Zulfiu, decided not to participate in the elections.

Such a decision was reached by the Democratic Party of Albanians (DPA), whose leader is Ragmi Mustafa, and by the Democratic Party (DP), whose is leader is Nagip Arifi, who have the majority in the local self-governments of Presevo and Bujanovac, where they are responsible for the ruling coalition, while the PDD is in opposition in both the municipalities.

Source: B92 and Coordination Body