Kosovo parliament turned WrestleMania after lawmaker throw water on prime minister

Brawls in Kososvo’s Parliament

Kosovo’s parliament turned into wrestling arena on Thursday when a member of the house threw water on the country’s prime minister.

The scuffle occurred following a heated debate over an audio recording between the ruling party’s member and an official from the Serb-majority north.
Speaker of Parliament Glauk Konjufca has described the clash as unfortunate and ‘unacceptable.’

A law maker in the opposition side walked to the dais where the prime minister was speaking and soaked him with water resulting in a chaotic physical exchange.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti was speaking on efforts to ease tensions between majority Albanians and the Serb-majority north that have worsened in recent months.
The opposition party has accused the prime minister of either failing to find meaningful solution to the feud or poorly handling of the deteriorating relationship that has marred relations with Western allies.

A video footage circulating from inside Kososvo parliament on Thursday captured an opposition MP identified as Mergim Lushtaku from the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo walking up to Kurti, water bottle in hand, while the prime minister is addressing the room from the podium.
Local media reported that the MP went on to splash water in Kurti’s face and that of his deputy, Besnik Beslimi, triggering a brawl as ministers and other MPs jumped in to restrain Lushtaku.

According to local news website Kallxo, the row began after opposition MPs placed a picture showing the prime minister with a Pinocchio-like nose in front of the podium before Kurti’s speech. Beslimi removed and torn up the picture while Kurti was speaking.
Local media reported that Kurti was escorted out of the hall.

The cause of latest disagreement is the episode in northern Kosovo after the installation of ethnic Albanian mayors in the wake of April elections during which the local Serb majority sat out. Kosovo opposition parties have criticized Kurti’s policies for leading to the unrest.
Kurti was addressing the house in a speech detailing measures to ease tensions with ethnic Serbs in northern Kosovo.

Opposition MPs have used similar tactics on several occasions in recent years. In 2018, they set off tear gas twice in parliament to impede MPs’ deliberations.