The Central Election Commission is expected to certify the final results of the June 7 elections within the next few days.
Meanwhile, Albin Kurti, as leader of the winning party, has not yet begun talks with political entities on a governing coalition or the issue of the president, because, according to him, the certification process must first be completed.
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At the same time, international representatives are calling for the preservation of institutional stability.
Diaspora activist Agim Aliçkaj spoke to “Bota sot” about this development.
According to him, citizens have entrusted Albin Kurti and his coalition with leading the country, while the opposition, as he says, is obstructing the normal functioning of institutions because it is not accepting its political defeat. Aliçkaj believes such behavior harms Kosovo and at the same time reduces citizens’ trust in the opposition.
“The people of Kosovo, through a free and democratic vote, expressed for the third time in a row their will for Prime Minister Albin Kurti, together with the LVV, Guxo, Alternativa and PSHDK coalition, to govern the country for the next four years.
The opposition parties, PDK, LDK and AAK, have accepted the election result, which is expected to be certified in the coming days, but they still have not accepted their political defeat. Their statements and behavior clearly show that, since they failed to win the trust of the citizens, they will do everything possible to prevent the winner from governing normally and then accuse it of incompetence and poor governance.
With blockades and the boycotting of institutions, the opposition has gone beyond every limit of political responsibility. Going to new elections, after three consecutive defeats, would be harmful for Kosovo and catastrophic for the opposition itself. The majority of citizens are so disappointed and angry with these actions that they would not entrust them with their vote even if the country were to go through an endless number of elections. Finding new justifications for blockades, such as the issue of American gas, brings them no political benefit,” he said.
He further stressed that international actors are also calling for stability in Kosovo and that the political class must show more responsibility, while at the same time underlining the role of the people and allies in achieving independence.
“The calls by international diplomats and politicians for institutional stability show that they too are tired of the continuing political crises in Kosovo. Understandably, they are not concerned with identifying the guilty parties, but their requests are serious and aimed at strengthening the state. It is clear that they are worried by unnecessary problems stemming from personal, group and party interests.
Kosovo is fortunate that it achieved freedom and independence thanks to the resistance of its people, but also with the decisive support of the democratic world, led by the United States of America. Even if it had expelled the Serbian occupier on its own, there was a real danger that the struggle for power among different groups after liberation would turn into fratricidal conflict. Unfortunately, responsibility and state-building political culture in Kosovo have still not reached the necessary level,” the activist explained.
Aliçkaj also added that the international factor should help in the creation of institutions through dialogue and diplomatic pressure, but without affecting Kosovo’s sovereignty, while political representatives, according to him, must in all cases protect the interests of the state.
“The public and impartial calls of international diplomats for the institutions to be created as quickly as possible are welcome. However, it would be even more useful if they invited representatives of all political parties to closed meetings, separately or in groups, listened to each side’s arguments, and applied diplomatic pressure to stop undemocratic practices so that the state interest and Kosovo’s pro-Western orientation prevail.
Such pressure is entirely legitimate within the framework of international cooperation and does not constitute interference in Kosovo’s internal affairs. But when certain politicians, especially former international diplomats, because of personal interests or influence from Kosovo’s enemies, such as Serbia and Russia, publicly support or attack individuals or political forces in Kosovo, their positions should not be taken as guidance.
Likewise, calls for concessions to Serbia must not be accepted under any circumstances when they undermine Kosovo’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, regardless of who they come from. In such cases, they should be opposed with prudence, respect and in a diplomatic manner, preferably in closed meetings. The government and all Kosovo’s political representatives have an obligation to defend, without compromise, the interests of the state. Excessive servility produces a weak, kneeling and trampled state,” Aliçkaj said.
In the end, he assessed that Kosovo’s institutions should be built in accordance with the will of the citizens, that the President should be elected through consensus, and that every political blockade harms the state and runs counter to the people’s sacrifice for freedom and independence.
“Specifically, after the June 7 elections, the formation of institutions and the election of the President should not present a problem if the will of the citizens is respected. With 53 mandates, supported by deputies from non-Serb communities, not including the hostile organization Lista Srpska, Prime Minister Kurti has the opportunity to secure a parliamentary majority for the formation of the government. A reasonable agreement with one of the other parties, based on the real election result, would make governance even more stable.
From the previous statements of almost all political leaders, it is clear that the President of Kosovo should be a unifying figure, above political parties, and be elected through consensus. Three such candidates could also be proposed by the opposition, with one of them elected by the votes of the majority in the Assembly. The participation of all deputies in the sessions for the election of the President should be considered a moral and institutional obligation. The engagement of the international factor in this direction would also be useful.
Ultimately, those who continue to block the state will never gain anything. Their actions run counter to the centuries-long resistance of the Albanian people and the glorious liberation war of the KLA. By acting this way, they trample on the blood of the victims of Serbian genocide, as well as on the sacrifice of the martyrs and heroes of the nation,” activist Aliçkaj concluded for “Bota sot”.
