Eugen Cakolli: The LDK is the side with the greatest need for an agreement

Shortly before the constitutive session, Eugen Cakolli of KDI described as unrealistic expectations that Vetëvendosje and the LDK would quickly reach a political agreement.

He stressed that circumstances are different from 2019, when both parties had a greater interest in cooperating. According to Cakolli, LVV can now afford to wait without suffering major political damage, while the LDK and its chairman, Lumir Abdixhiku, are facing stronger pressure. Under these conditions, the side that wants an agreement more usually enters negotiations with less leverage.

Cakolli also shared an analysis of the political situation.

Optimistic expectations that an agreement between LVV and the LDK would be reached just two days before the constitutive session appear somewhat unrealistic.

Such an agreement, reached in time before the constitutive session, had not been secured even after the 2019 elections. At that time, both parties had a much greater need for cooperation, while their joining forces was widely regarded as the “coalition of hope.” In the election, the difference between them was less than 2%. Today, LVV has nearly three times the LDK’s votes and seats.

For now, Kurti and LVV can wait, and may even fail to reach an agreement at all, without being severely punished by the electorate. This luxury does not apply to the same extent to the LDK and especially to Abdixhiku, since for them the issue is linked not only to the formation of institutions, but also to their political future.

Ultimately, the greater one side’s need for an agreement, the less reason the other side has to act hastily.