The suspension of negotiations on forming institutions between the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Vetëvendosje Movement, decided by LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku, is being interpreted differently by observers of the political scene. The decision came after the party announced it would convene an Extraordinary Assembly of the LDK for a confidence vote in him.
University professor and political affairs expert Mazllum Baraliu considers the interruption of the talks a development that could have significant consequences for the party led by Abdixhiku. He believes that internal divisions within the LDK have undermined a process that could have ended in a political agreement on forming institutions.
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According to Baraliu, the LDK, as a party with a long history in institutional life, should safeguard its political cohesion and internal stability. He warns that internal debates and the existence of different factions could damage its position on the political scene.
He stresses that the initial meetings between LDK and LVV leaders had shown a willingness to engage in dialogue, as well as to reach a compromise on the issue of the presidency.
Abdixhiku’s decision to suspend negotiations with LVV: What consequences could it have for the formation of new institutions?
“I think this is extremely damaging for the LDK itself, which is a historic party in terms of its importance and institutional activity. It is an institutionalist party that has made its contribution over decades. The willingness shown by the leader of this party in his first conversation with the LVV leader indicated a readiness to find the key to a perhaps comprehensive agreement on the president and on governing together. Meanwhile, internal tensions and factions, differing interests and conceptually distinct actions within certain groups, perhaps even outside influences within this party, have led to a situation in which, for the sake of respecting the statute, the leader of this party was forced to declare that any form of contact and discussion regarding co-governance and the possible finding of a consensus on the president is suspended,” he states.
Political analyst Adrian Zeqiri, on the other hand, believes that a possible agreement between the LDK and LVV would pose a major challenge for the LDK, given the current balance of power in the Assembly.
According to him, any party that entered a governing coalition with LVV under the current circumstances would find it difficult to have a real influence on decision-making. The reason, Zeqiri says, is that because of its parliamentary majority, the main political power would remain with LVV.
He believes that taking ministerial posts without significant parliamentary weight could become a political burden for any party that joins the government. Such a party, he says, could bear the cost of government decisions without having sufficient influence over them.
Zeqiri: Anyone who enters government with LVV will effectively have no power
“Not only the LDK, but anyone who enters government with LVV at this moment and with these numbers has no power whatsoever. They may be nominally appointed by the LDK, but they have no power as a party. Mr. Kurti has the governing majority, and at any time he could put on the displays he has made in the past, and will make now and in the future. Various displays, dismissing ministers or disregarding them, and so on. No party benefits from entering a governing coalition with LVV. It is bound to suffer catastrophically at the hands of LVV in the medium term. LVV has no need for any political party. The optional issue, meanwhile, is the post of president, where consensus is needed. Granting ministerial posts when a political party has no electoral weight in terms of numbers is a dangerous position for any political party,” Zeqiri stresses.
The decision to halt talks with the Vetëvendosje Movement was made at a time of internal tensions within the LDK. The party is holding debates regarding its political stance and the actions it should take following the June 7 elections.
On July 15, around 150 LDK delegates submitted signatures calling for a party assembly, where a confidence vote for Abdixhiku is being sought. The LDK’s explanatory letter also cites what it describes as the party’s poor results in the last three elections.
Meanwhile, on July 10, LVV leader and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti held separate meetings with PDK leader Bedri Hamza and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku. The topic of discussion was the formation of new institutions. Although no agreement was reached, Kurti stated that the meetings would continue in the coming days.
The meetings were held after the CEC certified the election results on July 8. The Vetëvendosje Movement emerged as the leading party with 47.13%, or 53 seats in the Assembly. The Democratic Party of Kosovo came second with 19.44%, or 22 MPs. The Democratic League of Kosovo won 16.69% and 18 seats, while the Alliance received 6.74% and seven seats. Non-majority communities secured 20 seats.
