UPDATE - Kosovo government falls after no-confidence vote

UPDATES WITH OPPOSITION CLAIMS, PM’S REACTIONS IN PARLIAMENT; EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Kosovo’s coalition government collapsed on Wednesday after lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence.

A three-hour debate in Pristina -- called by several opposition parties -- ended with a 78-25 majority against the government.

One opposition lawmaker, Valdete Bajrami, told parliament the government had proved incapable of reaching important decisions.

She said the government of Prime Minister Isa Mustafa had signed an agreement with Serbia in Brussels which was in conflict with Kosovo’s constitution.

The government was also accused of failing to deliver visa liberalization or investment and of overseeing a malfunctioning parliamentary and judicial system.

A demarcation agreement with neighboring Montenegro has also enraged the opposition.

Addressing lawmakers, Mustafa said that the opposition’s call for a vote of no confidence was "political, without any argument, and aimed to hide previous corruption scandals".

Mustafa, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) -- the second-largest party in the 120-seat parliament -- claimed the opposition was destabilizing the country.

"I consider that the request is aimed at destabilizing the country and creating distrust in its institutions and institutional vacuum.

“[The vote] aims to camouflage … those responsible for damaging corruption scandals and multi-million losses of public money inflicted this country," he added.

A large number of police officers were on duty around the parliament building while the session was taking place.

According to the Constitution of Kosovo, after a government loses a vote of no confidence, early parliamentary elections must be announced no earlier than 30 days and no later than 45 days.

Kosovo's assembly has been interrupted by brawling and opposition lawmakers throwing teargas during sessions for over a year.

The adoption of a demarcation deal with Montenegro -- key for the European Union to lift visa requirements for Kosovans -- will be postponed by the new elections.

Kosovo is likely to go for early elections in June 25.

The former Serbian province of nearly 1.8 million people is recognized by over 100 countries, including the U.S., Britain, France, Germany and Turkey.

Russia and China are among the other countries which have not yet recognized Kosovo’s independence.