Muharrem Nitaj, spokesman for the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, AAK, denied that coalition partner Initiative for Kosovo, NISMA, was leaving the PAN coalition, led by the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK.

Nitaj went further, claiming that the reported news–that the smaller coalition partner planning to function as a separate parliamentary group in the next legislature following the June 11 elections–was “a  lie” spread by “the propaganda machinery.”

Earlier today, former head of the NISMA parliamentary group Valdete Bajrami told BIRN that NISMA would function as an independent parliamentary group.

“The President [of NISMA, Fatmir] Limaj said even during the electoral campaign that NISMA will function as a single parliamentary group,” Bajrami claimed.

In response to Bajrami’s comments, Nitaj said that while how they function within parliament was in the coalition parties’ discretion, no such decisions have been taken just yet.

“It is at the discretion of political parties, the subjects of the PAN coalition, if they want to continue with separate parliamentary groups or operate as a single parliamentary group. This is decided after the results are certified,” said Nitaj, maintaining that whether or not they function independently had nothing to do with “leaving the coalition.”

“Propaganda machinery spread lies about NISMA leaving PAN. I need to enlighten them, because this has nothing to do with withdrawal from the coalition. PAN has the best results [from the election] and they are entitled to form the government,” said Nitaj.

“Wait and do not be too hasty to bargain because this country has rules. Those who recognize this country need to respect those rules, not because they want to, but because there is no other solution,” advised Nitaj.

The Central Election Committee, CEC, has yet to certify the results of the general elections held on June 11. The final results, which will also reveal the makeup of the next legislature, are expected in a couple of weeks.