Kosovan Prime Minister Isa Mustafa sworn in as unions threaten strike action

2014-12-13 20

Kosovo’s new prime minister was sworn in on Friday, six months after the June 8 general election.

The outgoing prime minister, Hashim Thaci, will become deputy and foreign minister as part of a coalition deal.

New leader, 63-year-old Isa Mustafa served in an exile government during Kosovo’s rebellion against Serbian rule in the 1990s.

He has already upset trade unions by vetoing an annual 25 percent public sector pay rise promised by his predecessor.

The pledge had alarmed western backers and the IMF.

Instead, Mustafa favours slashing taxes for businesses and offering lengthy tax breaks if they create jobs.

The new prime minister’s first test will be his dealings with the trade unions who are now threatening to go on strike.

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