The latest meeting between the leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, and the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, failed to produce an agreement on forming Kosovo’s new institutions.
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The talks took place shortly before the constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo and ended without any concrete agreement. After the meeting, Kurti stated that “there is no agreement.” This development has deepened political uncertainty in the country, while it remains unclear whether LVV and LDK still have a chance of reaching a compromise.
This latest failure raises questions about whether negotiations between the two parties have entered a critical stage, whether the lack of political consensus is the main obstacle to establishing the institutions, and what consequences the continuation of this deadlock could have for Kosovo.
Speaking to “Bota sot,” Professor Enver Bytyçi said the issue was not limited solely to the lack of an agreement between LVV and LDK. According to him, another major problem is the internal divisions within the party led by Lumir Abdixhiku.
Bytyçi said Kurti’s meeting with LDK representatives highlighted the existence of differing interests within the party, as not all participants had entered the talks with the same objective.
“At the latest meeting with the head of the majority, Albin Kurti, the Democratic League of Kosovo was represented by its leader, Lumir Abdixhiku, deputy leader Lutfi Haziri, and its shadow leader, Vjosa Osmani. Each of them went there to pursue their own personal interests, not those of the party they claim to represent. Lumir should have an interest in holding talks and reaching a consensus on the main objective, which is the formation of state institutions. Vjosa and Luta, meanwhile, took part so that each, in their own way, could seek the position of head of state. They accompanied the de jure leader because they do not trust him,” the professor said.
He also raised the question of whether LDK had prepared a defined platform ahead of the meeting for negotiations with Vetëvendosje and for the terms of a potential governing coalition.
“Before this meeting took place, the public did not know whether the Democratic League had drafted a concrete platform for the talks and the consensus it would seek through them. None of us knows what principles LDK has set as conditions for governing jointly with Kurti. Publicly, these two parties are known as very different political forces in terms of their programs and political alternatives. LDK is conservative, while LVV is social democratic, meaning liberal. Public opinion should have been informed about LDK’s policy demands for governing jointly with Vetëvendosje. No such demand is known,” Bytyçi said.
In the professor’s assessment, the absence of a defined platform creates the perception that the talks are being held to serve individual interests rather than to establish the country’s institutions.
“This implies that the three representatives of Rugova’s former party went to Tuesday’s meeting to bargain, not to serve Kosovo’s interests. Such a development was expected because LDK has been, is, and continues to be divided. The division is demonstrated by the 172 votes with which Mr. Abdixhiku was re-elected party leader, while another 152 voted against him. It is difficult for his opponents to rally behind the re-elected leader’s alternative. This situation has weakened Mr. Abdixhiku even among his supporters. They see the leader’s weakness and can easily place even greater pressure on him. This pressure also comes because many of them voted for him out of self-interest. These individual interests are connected neither to the Democratic League’s program nor to Kosovo, but to the positions they could secure through a possible agreement with Kurti,” he said.
Bytyçi also spoke about the obstacles that could arise during efforts to build a stable coalition between LVV and LDK. He emphasized that LDK’s internal divisions reduce the chances of reaching a long-term agreement.
“The talks had begun even before the LDK Assembly was held. Those who voted for Abdixhiku automatically supported governing jointly with LVV, while those who voted against him also oppose such a coalition. Under these circumstances, creating a stable coalition between the two parties is very difficult. Supporters of governing together are calculating the share of the pie they will receive in this coalition, while opponents are increasing the pressure to prevent a consensus from being reached. In this way, Abdixhiku is caught between two fires: between the ‘loyalists’ seeking power and seats and the many opponents within the party. Although his personal interest is to govern jointly with LVV, with the aim of consolidating his position among the slim majority of his supporters, he does not have the power to decide. He is being obstructed by those seeking positions, including people aiming for the presidency. It appears that this office is being sought not only by Vjosa Osmani, but also by Lutfi Haziri. Without first resolving this internal conflict, LDK has no chance of breaking the deadlock over the formation of the institutions,” the professor said.
According to him, repeatedly accepting invitations to sit at the negotiating table with Kurti has exposed LDK to intense pressure from the public.
“The fact that they have agreed several times to meet and hold talks with Mr. Kurti places LDK in a difficult situation. The public understands that LVV, as the winner, is ready to enter a governing coalition with the Democratic League, while the latter lacks a consensus on doing so. For this reason, LDK has once again been singled out as responsible. Citizens will interpret its lack of willingness as an attempt to secure positions in power rather than as a willingness to provide the country with stable institutions,” Bytyçi said.
The professor also commented on Kurti’s invitations to the two other Albanian parliamentary parties, PDK and AAK, emphasizing that their positions on governing jointly with LVV are already known.
“Kurti has also invited PDK and AAK, the two other Albanian parties in Parliament, for talks. Their positions are known, and most are opposed to governing jointly with Mr. Kurti. I cannot say whether Serbia has any role in this matter, through Richard Grennell, of course, or not. Nevertheless, this time Abdixhiku was criticized by the Batons from Grennell’s positions because he responded to Mr. Kurti’s invitation,” he said.
In conclusion, Bytyçi emphasized that priority should be given to forming the new institutions and overcoming the political crisis.
“What matters is establishing the institutions. The plenary session begins on Thursday. I do not believe the new government will be voted on this week. Tomorrow, only the leadership and speaker of Parliament may be elected. Consequently, it appears that Saturday and Sunday will be used for further talks. This time, Kosovo must have a president and a new government. Whether that will happen remains to be seen. Nevertheless, Tuesday showed us that the process is not easy. There is no consensus, although it could be reached within a minute if politicians’ personal wishes were fulfilled. This is shameful,” Enver Bytyçi concluded for “Bota sot.”
