A brawl erupts in the Kosovo parliament after water was thrown at the prime minister. Source: Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo
A brawl erupted in the Kosovo parliament on Thursday after water was thrown at the prime minister.
Video footage reveals Prime Minister Albin Kurti was speaking about government measures to defuse tensions in the north of the country when the fight broke out.
Mergim Lushtaku from the Democratic Party of Kosovo approached the stand and threw water at Kurti and his deputy, Besnik Bislimi.
Lawmakers began trying to restrain Lushtaku while objects were thrown across the floor of the Kosovo parliament in Pristina.
Over 15 politicians were seen pushing and shoving each other before the police intervened.
Kurti was separated from the brawl and escorted from the building by bodyguards.
Moments before, Bislimi had torn up a drawing the opposition placed in front of the podium where the prime minister was speaking.
The picture depicted Kurti with a long Pinocchio-like nose.
Kosovo opposition parties have criticised Kurti’s policies for leading to unrest in the north and worsening relations with key Western allies.
The United States and European Union have put pressure on the government to help calm the situation after violence erupted between local Serbs and Kosovo police in May.
On Wednesday, Kurti announced that he would reduce the police presence in the north and hold new mayoral elections in each of the towns to lower tensions.
The move angered the opposition as they felt he had “experimented” for months, only to back down.
Union officials have urged Kurti to continue to help resolve the situation.
