Thaci's new house sparks controversy

Thaci has confirmed that he is building a new house for himself in Veternik, near the Skopje highway and off the road to Gracanica, an area which has been attracting a growing number of politicians and wealthy businessmen.

But the abode has already sparked controversy, with some questioning where the funds for the new home have come from and asking how the prime minister obtained building permits in an area with no urban plan.

Thaci has responded to newspaper articles which have raised questions about the new residence, saying that he intends to sue one newspaper which claimed that his new house is 2000 square metres, as it is in fact just 800 square metres.

In an interview with Reuters, he said that he had "raised money to build the home through a loan from the NLB bank and with help from his brothers".

Thaci also said that he had sold his old home in Dragodan to fund the project.

Neighbours of Thaci's new home also claimed that they have been waiting for years to receive a license for their homes.

But the office of urbanism at Pristina Municipality said that in order to build a house in Veternik, the owner had to do so on land covering a number of hectares. As Thaci's house is set on three hectares of land, the municipality said it was right to grant him a permit.