Bekim Sejdiu has announced his withdrawal from the candidacy for president of the Republic of Kosovo. According to him, the decision was made due to the lack of the necessary numbers in the Assembly and because the process had become entangled in clashes arising from political dynamics.
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Sejdiu had accepted the candidacy with the aim of contributing to a solution to the institutional crisis. His name had been agreed upon by the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Vetëvendosje Movement as a non-partisan candidate.
In his statement, he expressed gratitude to all those who supported him and called on political entities to find a solution to the situation that had arisen. Sejdiu stressed that Kosovo needs maturity, unity and stronger institutions.
Dear citizens of the Republic of Kosovo, dear friends!
Two weeks ago, representatives of the Democratic League of Kosovo contacted me and invited me to a joint meeting with delegations led by the leaders of the LDK and the Vetëvendosje Movement. At that meeting, it was announced that, following lengthy discussions, the two parties had reached an agreement for my name to be put forward as a non-partisan candidate for president of the Republic of Kosovo.
I viewed this proposal as an expression of great trust in me and as recognition of my contribution to the institutional life of the Republic of Kosovo.
I expressed my deep gratitude to representatives of both parties for the honor they bestowed upon me, the trust they showed and their support throughout this process.
Considering the difficult period the country is going through and the possibility that the institutional crisis could expand, I accepted the nomination for the post of president of the Republic of Kosovo.
I have never placed personal comfort or intellectual indifference above the need to serve the country, particularly in times of crisis. I have always believed that intellectuals and professionals have a responsibility toward society and that their knowledge, just like their professional skills, has no value if it does not serve the public interest.
As I have also publicly stated before, I have not sought public office beyond my academic and professional engagements. The only reason that prompted me to accept the proposal to assume the office of president was the desire to help break the institutional deadlock.
I believed that the parliamentary parties and deputies of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo would demonstrate the necessary will to overcome political divisions and any other interests, thereby ensuring stable institutions for the country during a difficult and challenging period.
However, under the circumstances that have arisen, when the necessary parliamentary support for my election as president has not been secured and the entire process has been drawn into a vortex of clashes and internal political dynamics, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for president of the Republic of Kosovo.
I informed representatives of the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Vetëvendosje Movement of this decision earlier.
The broad support I have received in recent days from colleagues, friends, public figures, representatives of civil society and, in particular, from the Albanian diaspora in the United States of America, has made me proud of my work in the service of the Republic of Kosovo.
This support has further strengthened my conviction that institutional loyalty and constitutional patriotism have always been the main principles of my institutional engagement. My commitment, particularly to defending the Constitution of the Republic of Kosovo, has never been selective or conditioned by circumstances, but has always been principled and professional.
The Republic of Kosovo and its citizens do not need political dramas or deeper polarization. What is needed is maturity and unity to strengthen our state.
I sincerely hope that the political parties will manage to find a way out of this vicious circle, which above all is diminishing citizens’ hope for a more prosperous future for themselves and their families.
The Republic of Kosovo is our common home, created on the foundations of unbreakable ideals and sublime sacrifices. Kosovo stands above each and every one of us, and together we are all duty-bound to serve it with dedication, always, at all times and without conditions.
Sincerely,
Bekim Sejdiu
