Albulena Haxhiu criticizes the PDK and AAK after they reject a meeting on political consensus

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu has reacted following the decision by the PDK and AAK not to accept an invitation to a meeting she had called with the aim of reaching a political consensus and unblocking the situation in the country.

Haxhiu expressed regret over this stance, describing the refusal as wrong and as a sign of a lack of willingness to overcome, as she put it, “barricading positions.”

She said that three elections held consecutively, with broadly similar results, demonstrate the need for political dialogue. According to her, this need is particularly pronounced when it comes to the issue of the President.

Haxhiu warned that, if no agreement is reached on the President, Kosovo could once again face elections which, in her assessment, would not produce a new solution.

Haxhiu also published her full reaction:

The February 2025 elections were the last regular elections, following the completion of a full governing mandate. They were followed by the elections of December 28 of the same year and then those of June 7 of this year. Both of these electoral processes were unnecessary and harmful to citizens and the budget of the Republic. Moreover, all of these elections produced similar results.

Three consecutive electoral processes, with broadly similar results, are sufficient evidence that there can be no progress without political dialogue, especially on the issue of the President. If during the winter and spring of this year the main demand and complaint was that prior dialogue should take place before any formation of institutions, regardless of the result, now is the time, opportunity and necessity to put this into practice. We must begin with the issue that is actually repeatedly sending us back to elections, rather than with what may be easier to achieve: the main sticking point is the issue of the President.

Although formally this constitutes the third step, under the current circumstances the issue of the President must be our starting point. It is clear that without an agreement on this issue, the way will be opened to a new electoral process, which in practice would bring nothing new, let alone a solution.

Based on these facts and on the experience of the past two years, and with the willingness to build a political consensus, I invited the leaders of all parliamentary political entities to a meeting. I deeply regret that, despite my sincere invitation, the PDK and AAK political entities rejected it. In my view, this stance is wrong, reckless and, above all, shows a lack of willingness to overcome barricading positions. Such stances serve no one, and especially not our Republic.

The country’s citizens are expressing themselves clearly and continuously through elections. Our duty, as their representatives and as leaders of political parties and institutions, is to put this message into practice. Kosovo needs a great deal of work, while elections should remain the last option, if they should be an alternative at all.

I hope that by Tuesday there will be reflection and that the meeting will be as useful as possible in finding a solution.