Abdixhiku to Delegates: Where Would LDK Be Today With This Level of Engagement in the National Elections?

Lumir Abdixhiku, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, has expressed dissatisfaction with an initiative by one-third of the delegates to remove him. He made the remarks in a speech to delegates at LDK’s extraordinary assembly, which is expected to determine his political future as party leader.

Abdixhiku described the decision as deeply misguided and one-sided, particularly because the Republic of Kosovo is facing an institutional crisis.

Speaking about how the assembly was convened, he said that when he took office as leader five years ago, he was aware that the position would not belong to him forever. According to him, it was a temporary mandate entrusted to him by the delegates and a responsibility that had to be carried out honorably before one day being returned to the party.

He stressed that the assembly had not been convened by him, but by the delegates. Abdixhiku described this as a democratic mechanism provided for in LDK’s statute and said that, as party leader, he regarded it as his duty to respect the initiative and organize the assembly without a single day’s delay.

The LDK leader said he does not consider the meeting a celebration. According to him, for the first time in the party’s 37-year history, delegates have gathered not to elect someone, but to oust someone.

Abdixhiku said that neither he nor the party membership views the assembly as a festive event. He stated that, regardless of the outcome of the day, July 30 will be recorded in LDK’s political history as the date when a meeting was organized with the aim of ousting the party leader.

According to him, democracy is harmed when ousting someone becomes the objective. He added that if such an action is intended to diminish this political home, LDK will emerge from it neither better organized, stronger nor more united.

Abdixhiku also objected to the timing of the assembly. He noted that the country is going through an institutional crisis and that the issue should have been decided in LDK’s regular elections.

He said that only LDK would be harmed, while the initiators could have waited a few more months, as from today the position of party leader would be open to anyone who believes they deserve it. Nevertheless, Abdixhiku called for the path already chosen to be followed calmly, prudently and democratically.

According to him, the assembly is misguided because it was initiated unilaterally, at a sensitive time for the country and a decisive moment for the party. He stressed that the meeting is being held only a short time after LDK’s extraordinary assembly and just a few months before the regular assembly for the party’s internal elections.

Addressing the delegates, Abdixhiku asked where LDK would be today if the same level of engagement had been shown during the national elections.

He said he often wonders what position the party would be in today if this much energy had been invested in the national elections. According to him, in that case, neither this assembly nor the previous one would ever have been held in LDK. Abdixhiku said he would have liked to see this positive energy during the campaign instead of it being directed against one another, adding that he rejects such a mindset and feels only regret.

Following the conclusion of Abdixhiku’s speech, the extraordinary assembly is continuing its proceedings behind closed doors. Delegates will vote on the motion seeking his removal.

A total of 327 delegates are attending the meeting out of the 350 members of this party body.