Kosovo is on the verge of the constitutive session of the new legislature, and on Monday, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Glauk Konjufca, commented on the talks held between the leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, and representatives of the two largest opposition parties.
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According to him, the meeting with the chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Bedri Hamza, reconfirmed the unwavering positions of this political force, which he described as outdated approaches from the past.
It was different with the Democratic League of Kosovo. Konjufca noted that the overall impression was that this time there is a more pronounced readiness to overcome the current situation in which the country finds itself.
“From the meetings with the PDK and the LDK, it became clear that the PDK continues to remain in the long-known positions, which were reiterated during the conversation with Kurti. Meanwhile, regarding the LDK, we have the impression that, unlike previous cases, this time there is more willingness to overcome this moment. There is a higher level of readiness for cooperation and I believe that the chances of reaching an agreement depend directly on this will. The stronger the political will and the readiness to cooperate, the more options are created to share responsibilities. What we saw especially after the December elections was a total blockage,” Konjufca said.
He avoided commenting on internal developments in the LDK, but added that the quality of the discussion after Kurti’s meeting with Osmani and Abdixhiku was completely different.
“Of course, the LDK has full autonomy over its internal affairs. We are not here to comment or advise, because the LDK is a party with a long history and I believe they know how to manage their own issues. However, regarding cooperation with us, it seemed to me that after Kurti’s meeting with Osmani and Abdixhiku, there was a different nature to the conversation and this makes us more optimistic that a solution may soon be found,” he declared.
Konjufca also mentioned the approach of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, emphasizing that although they refused the invitation to meet with Kurti, they put forward their conditions for a possible cooperation.
Optimism for emerging from the crisis
Analyst Skënder Zogaj calls for a clarity of logic from political leaders.
From his perspective, the country has a vital need for functioning institutions and if the deadlock continues, the responsibility falls on everyone.
“Regardless of countless party calculations, the elementary patriotic logic of political and state leaderships must clear up and understand that Kosovo needs institutions. Everyone will bear responsibility if the blockade continues. This responsibility is getting heavier every day and is turning into a political and national guillotine, because the political class dares not endanger nor sacrifice Kosovo’s freedom and independence. The country is in a deep crisis and the smallest mistake could have catastrophic consequences,” Zogaj told “Bota sot.”
Zogaj sees Konjufca’s statement as an encouraging signal and adds that it doesn’t matter who proposes whom.
According to him, the absolute priority is the swift completion of building state institutions and restoring the normal functioning of the state.
“Glauk Konjufca’s optimistic statement about the meetings with Abdixhiku and Hamza is an encouraging signal, because the deadlock must be overcome without any hesitation. It doesn’t matter much who proposes or whom they propose. What is essential is that the establishment of institutions is completed as soon as possible and the state returns to normalcy. The sacrifice of the people and the extraordinary international investment in Kosovo must be justified. The continuation of this deadlock is a shameful and anti-national act,” he stressed.
Acting Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca has announced that Albulena Haxhiu is expected to run again for Speaker of Parliament.
Although this topic has not yet been discussed within the Vetëvendosje Movement, he warned that everything will be decided at the next meeting of the Presidency.
“I think we have already decided on the Speaker of Parliament, it is Mrs. Haxhiu. And I believe the proposal will be the same,” Konjufca told journalists.
The key issue remains the election of the president
Meanwhile, analyst Gani Qarri directs criticism at the LDK, claiming that in order to block the achievement of a consensus, some individuals within it rushed and deliberately chose a critical moment to hinder a constructive formula between Kurti and Abdixhiku.
“The internal developments in the LDK, which exploded with unimaginable speed just a few months after Abdixhiku was reconfirmed at the helm, and precisely when he signaled progress in talks with Prime Minister Kurti on a necessary compromise, make it even clearer to us that the LDK of Dr. Ibrahim Rugova is infected by destructive elements. These individuals want to destroy its meaning as an institutional and state-forming party, even at the cost of division. To sabotage the consensus, they appear to have acted in a planned manner, striking the constructive formula for the head of state at this crucial moment. This is a deeply conspiratorial act that risks turning into a serious threat for the whole country,” Qarri told “Bota sot.”
He sees the LDK as willing to overcome the blockade, but raises questions about what he calls an “enigmatic group.”
“This happens even though after Albin Kurti’s meetings with Bedri Hamza, where the PDK remained rigid, Lumir Abdixhiku showed signals of positive movement. As Mr. Konjufca himself confirmed, the LDK this time has shown more willingness to overcome the deadlock. Considering Mr. Konjufca’s seriousness, I believe that assessment. Therefore, it is regrettable and remains very enigmatic why this conspiratorial group within the LDK became active precisely now, staging claims of internal ‘dissatisfaction’ that are nothing new, in order to undo every possibility of an agreement at this decisive moment,” he added.
According to Qarri, Haxhiu’s candidacy for Speaker of Parliament will not face challenges for votes, but the real serious problem remains the election of the president.
“As for Albulena Haxhiu, the current acting president and Speaker of Parliament, as has been confirmed, she will run again for this post. This strategy, by constituting the new Parliament and the Government, would unblock the process within constitutional deadlines. LVV has the votes for the Speaker of Parliament and the Government secured, so the only remaining problem is the election of the head of state. This is because in the first two rounds the presence of two-thirds of the deputies is required, even if they do not vote, while in the third round a simple majority is sufficient,” explains Qarri.
Finally, he assesses that this time the hopes of overcoming the blockade are more concrete and outlines possible scenarios in case of failure.
“The hopes for unblocking and electing the president have not faded this time and are more visible. This is because even the opposition parties, after the losses suffered, are not interested in new early elections. Such a scenario would be catastrophic for the LDK with its many problems. Unlike the past, the AAK has declared that it is ready to vote even for Glauk Konjufca as president within a deal with the LVV, setting some conditions, and I believe there is room for a compromise. Otherwise, if consensus is not reached in the remaining days, the most likely scenario remains that the opposition ensures the quorum by staying in the hall until the end of the session. This would enable the election of the president, even in the third round with the 61-63 votes that the LVV and its non-Serb minority partners have, thus overcoming a deadlock that is heading into its second year. This situation is presenting domestic politics as very problematic and not at all serious before the international factor and Kosovo as an unstable country in the Balkans, facing a host of international obligations and the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration,” concludes the analyst.
