Parliament elects President as deal limits war crimes court
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Justina Shiroka Pula has been elected President, ending a political deadlock that had threatened to send voters back to the polls for a snap election. The appointment was the centerpiece of a deal between Prime Minister Albin Kurti and the opposition, which included a side agreement to amend the laws governing the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office.
The Prime Minister turned his attention to military infrastructure later in the day, meeting with US Senators to request an expansion of the Bondsteel base. It is a familiar pitch: in a region where security is often measured by the size of the American footprint, Kurti remains keen to see that footprint grow.
Economic data from the first half of the year confirmed that the treasury remains heavily reliant on citizens living elsewhere. Germany and Switzerland continue to be the primary sources of remittances, as the diaspora once again does what the local economy cannot.