Former Republican U.S. Congressman Joseph DioGuardi has sent a letter to Kosovo’s political leaders, calling for agreement on the election of a new president. He warns that Kosovo cannot withstand another round of institutional blockades and repeated elections.
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In his letter to the political parties, DioGuardi proposed Faton Bislimi for president of Kosovo, urging leaders to assess his candidacy on its merits rather than on the basis of party or personal preferences.
Appeal for Consensus and Proposal of a Candidate for President
I am writing to you guided by a deep sense of responsibility and love for a country whose struggle for freedom has been among the causes that have defined my life.
For more than three decades, I have stood alongside the people of Kosovo. I remember Kosovo in the 1990s, with its oppression, suffering and the extraordinary courage of a people who refused to give up on the dream of freedom. I also remember postwar Kosovo, which placed great hope and trust in the United States and the democratic world.
This past brings responsibility. Today, Kosovo once again stands at an important crossroads. Political disagreements are part of democracy, but institutional deadlock affects far more than the parties: it affects families, young people, businesses, international partners and every citizen who wants Kosovo to progress. The country cannot withstand another cycle in which political deadlock produces elections, elections create a new deadlock and everything begins again.
The citizens of Kosovo deserve more. They deserve functioning institutions, leaders willing to put the interests of the Republic ahead of party priorities, and a president who unites the country rather than widening its divisions.
During my visit here, I learned that Kosovo’s political leaders have discussed the qualities and criteria that a consensus candidate for president should meet. In my assessment, Kosovo needs a person who can win the trust of more than one political camp; who can cooperate with both the government and the opposition without becoming a tool of either side; who represents all the citizens and communities of Kosovo; and who represents the Republic with dignity and credibility in Washington, Brussels and other international capitals.
In this spirit, I respectfully ask you to consider Faton Bislimi.
I have known Faton for more than two decades and have closely followed his commitment to Kosovo, as well as his path as a public servant. His story is closely linked to Kosovo’s own history. Affected by war and displacement, he was educated in North America, including graduating from Harvard, gained first-hand knowledge of American democratic institutions and served as a member of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo. He has continued working in political, academic, civic and international fields to strengthen Kosovo and its relationship with the United States. Through this commitment, he has earned the respect of many people, not only in the Albanian world but also in the United States and beyond.
However, a president must represent more than a professional career. He must have character, independence and sound judgment. The presidency must serve the Republic, not a party. The president must know how to listen without abandoning principles, disagree without creating enemies, and represent citizens whose political choices differ from his own. I believe Faton possesses these qualities.
I also believe that his ability to build bridges is precisely what Kosovo needs today: bridges between generations, between Kosovo and its diaspora, between Pristina and Washington, and between the political forces that are currently divided. Faton has demonstrated this for many years, even when he has not held an official position. Appointing Faton to the presidency would not be an honor for him, but would enable the presidency to serve the people of Kosovo in the best way possible. Failing to seize such an opportunity would mean failing to uphold the promise made by every elected representative: to serve the country’s best interests.
For this reason, I ask only that, as political leaders move from discussing criteria to considering names, Faton Bislimi’s name be put forward for discussion and assessed on its merits, not according to anyone’s political or personal preferences.
Kosovo does not need another president who emerges as a trophy at the end of a political contest. It needs a president who can become a symbol of bringing that contest to a close.
The people of Kosovo have already demonstrated their courage, resilience and faith in democracy. Now political leaders have the opportunity to demonstrate something equally important: the courage to compromise in the interests of the Republic.
I believe Kosovo is at precisely such a moment. Therefore, I respectfully invite you to consider Faton Bislimi not as the candidate of a party or political camp, but as a Kosovar with the experience, character, international outlook and independence necessary to serve as president of the Republic of Kosovo at a time when the country most needs consensus. Taking into account his education, experience, political acumen and commitment to the country above all else, I cannot think of anyone else better prepared to serve Kosovo as president.
The final decision will be yours, but I believe Faton Bislimi is the right choice. History will judge this generation of leaders not only by the name they choose, but also by their ability to find common ground when Kosovo needs it most. This would give the country a president for everyone, capable of serving with ethics, integrity and dignity, and ready to move the country forward from the first day of his term.
The same letter was sent to the four largest parties: LVV, PDK, LDK and the Alliance.
