Armend Mehaj wins consultation for president, ahead of Osmani and Konjufca

Armend Mehaj, a former minister of defense, topped the public consultation for the post of president of the Republic of Kosovo, conducted by the Strategic Institute for Justice, Defense of Human Rights, Public Policy Analysis and Anti-Corruption (ISDMAK).

The final results published by ISDMAK state that the process concluded on September 1, 2026. In the consultation, citizens could choose from 18 names proposed for head of state.

With 11,534 votes, representing 27.0% of the total, Mehaj ranked first on the list.

Vjosa Osmani came second with 7,905 votes, or 18.5%, while Glauk Konjufca ranked third with 7,312 votes, or 17.1%.

Bedri Hamza received 5,809 votes, securing 13.6% of the total. He was followed by Ramush Haradinaj with 3,668 votes, or 8.6%.

The ranking continued with Lumir Abdixhiku with 1,044 votes (2.4%), Memli Krasniqi with 767 (1.8%), Albulena Haxhiu with 525 (1.2%) and Atifete Jahjaga with 493 votes (1.2%).

The list continued with Saranda Bogujevci, who received 450 votes (1.1%), Veton Surroi with 436 (1.0%), Arben Vitia with 430 (1.0%), Muhamet Mustafa with 422 (1.0%), Fatonime Mulhaxha-Kollçaku with 417 (1.0%), Lutfi Peci with 392 (0.9%), Ferdije Bunjaku with 385 (0.9%), Enver Hasani with 380 (0.9%) and Hatixhe Hoxha with 367 votes (0.9%).

ISDMAK clarified that the consultation was not intended to replace the procedures established by the Constitution or the powers of the Assembly. According to the institute, the initiative aims to reflect the will of citizens as public guidance amid the political deadlock in the country.

At the conclusion of the consultation, the 18 candidates had collected a total of 42,636 votes.