Hamza’s resignation puts PDK before a dilemma: Deep reorganization or new division?

On Wednesday, Bedri Hamza informed the leadership of the Democratic Party of Kosovo that he is submitting an irrevocable resignation from the post of chairman.

At a press conference, Hamza emphasized that this action paves the way for a new electoral process in PDK, adding that the duties he assumed from 2020, after the transfer of former leaders to The Hague, including the race for mayor of Mitrovica, three consecutive candidacies for prime minister, and leading the party, were the result of responsibility toward PDK and Kosovo, not personal ambitions.

He stressed that his focus during the period at the helm of the party was preserving unity, structures, and the trust of the membership and electorate.

“I am not abandoning PDK. I am withdrawing only from the function of chairman, but not from faith in our political values. As long as I live, I will remain a loyal voter of the Democratic Party of Kosovo and part of this great political family,” he declared.

Immediately after the resignation, the governing bodies appointed Vlora Çitaku as acting chairwoman, the party’s media office announced. She was the only proposed candidacy, with her name suggested by Hamza himself, as confirmed by MP and member of the Presidency, Blerta Deliu-Kodra.

Çitaku will exercise this function until the conclusion of the electoral process within the party.

Political analysts have commented to “Bota sot” about this action by Hamza, the impact it will have on the future of PDK, as well as the possibilities for reform and fulfillment of his political mission. In their assessment, the resignation can be interpreted as a case of taking responsibility for the failure of leadership, given that he led the party during a difficult political phase.

According to them, Hamza’s political mission is accomplished and PDK now needs a process that will not remain limited to competition for the post of chairman, but will also open debate on its program, organizational structure, and political orientation.

Political example and the necessity of PDK’s renewal

Analyst Nexhat Haziri considers Hamza’s resignation a model for Kosovo’s political scene.

According to him, this action will give PDK a new impulse.

“Bedri Hamza’s resignation from the leadership of PDK, besides being a normal democratic development within a political entity, should also be seen as an example for the entire Kosovar political scene of taking responsibility for a project that has not fulfilled expectations, since rarely have we seen leaders who hold responsibility for the failure of their leadership. Certainly this resignation will create a new dynamic for PDK itself, which should aim to create a project with a clear vision and a new purpose for where it will reach, and this requires reforms, opening the party with a democratic and inclusive electoral process. This implies a PDK that will not depend on The Hague and the decisions that will be made there for its former leaders, but a PDK as a new political project and a new alternative for Kosovo facing the governance of LVV and Mr. Kurti. This does not mean that PDK should not be interested in developments at the Special Court and in the fate of its former leaders,” Haziri stated.

Haziri assesses that Bedri Hamza has to some extent fulfilled his mission at the helm of PDK, despite unfavorable political conditions. He adds that Hamza managed to preserve a degree of internal unity and display a balanced, contemporary, and non-populist leadership, even though the results did not fully meet his expectations and those of PDK supporters.

“Regarding Mr. Hamza and his mission, I think he fulfilled it to a certain extent, although the created circumstances and the political situation, not only internal, seem not to have been in his favor. Nevertheless, he managed to preserve a degree of internal unity in PDK and showed measured, modern, and non-populist leadership. But this, it seems, was not enough for the achievements of his leadership, within PDK and generally in the Kosovar political scene, to align with his expectations and those of PDK’s own electorate. From this process I expect PDK itself to benefit, by renewing itself, if I may put it that way. As I said earlier, this is a good opportunity for a democratic and inclusive internal electoral process, which should bring new energy, new leadership, and a new political project, in line with the party’s goals, but also with the needs and challenges awaiting the country. PDK must offer a new political alternative. It is good fortune for this party that it does not lack personalities and new figures, professionally prepared and with moral and political integrity, who can lead PDK,” Haziri declared to “Bota sot”.

PDK’s test: transparent and democratic elections or ‘clashes’

Meanwhile, analyst Ali Hertica emphasizes that Hamza’s resignation takes PDK into a new stage.

According to him, this stage will test its capacity to find a leadership that preserves the current structure and simultaneously creates space for new political developments.

“Bedri Hamza’s resignation should be understood in the context of the responsibilities he assumed after the sending of PDK’s former leaders to The Hague. He led the party in a difficult political period, facing several electoral processes and the need to preserve its organization and unity. Hamza has emphasized that his decision is well thought out and that he is leaving only the position of chairman, not the party. Nevertheless, his resignation opens a new phase for PDK, in which its ability to find a leadership that can preserve the existing structure and create space for new political developments will be tested,” Hertica declares to “Bota sot”.

According to him, Hamza’s resignation can create conditions for reforming PDK, but a change at the top does not automatically bring reform.

“The resignation can create opportunities for reforming PDK, especially if Hamza’s promise to include young people and new figures in decision-making is fulfilled. He had expressed readiness to open the party to citizens who wish to contribute politically. However, a change of leadership does not in itself guarantee reform,” the analyst emphasizes.

According to him, everything depends on how the internal process develops.

“Everything will depend on how the electoral process within the party develops, on the competition between candidates, and on the ability of PDK structures to reach an internal agreement. If the process develops in a transparent and democratic manner, it can serve to consolidate the party; otherwise, it could highlight existing disagreements,” Hertica underlines.

Asked about Hamza’s political mission and his leadership, Hertica says he faced great responsibilities.

He adds that his leadership should be judged in relation to the circumstances in which he took office, the burden he carried, and the state in which he leaves the party at the end of his mandate.

“Hamza took the leadership of PDK in extraordinary circumstances, when some of its most important figures were in The Hague. During this period, he faced the responsibility of representing the party in successive elections and keeping it functional in the absence of its historic leaders. He also engaged in including new names on electoral lists. On the other hand, Hamza had hoped to return the party leadership to Hashim Thaçi and Kadri Veseli, but the developments of September 16 removed this possibility. Therefore, his leadership should be assessed in relation to the circumstances in which he took office, the responsibilities he faced, and the state he leaves the party in at the conclusion of his mandate. The commitment to justice and to the release of the former KLA leaders remains, according to his statements, part of PDK’s political positions,” the analyst adds.

At his conference, Hamza did not give any date for the start of the internal election process, and until PDK is expected to organize them, Hertica expects emphasis to be placed on the ability of candidates to unite the structures and create space for new generations.

According to him, PDK needs a process that will not be limited only to the race for the post of chairman, but will also include discussion on its program, organization, and political orientation.

“The new electoral process can give various PDK figures the opportunity to present their vision for the party’s future. Besides political and organizational experience, the ability of candidates to unite the structures and create space for new generations will also be important. PDK needs a process that will not be limited only to the race for the post of chairman, but will also include discussion on its program, organization, and political orientation. Preserving unity will depend on respecting internal rules, acceptance of the result by candidates, and inclusion of different groups within the party. In this way, the change of leadership can turn into an opportunity for the consolidation of PDK and not into a source of new divisions,” Hertica concludes.

Hamza was elected chairman at the PDK Convention on November 17, 2025, days after the resignation of Memli Krasniqi. On the day of his election, he promised to keep the party united and open it to new people; PDK’s lists under his leadership were filled with new candidate names for MPs.

He was PDK’s candidate for prime minister in the February 2025, December 28, 2025, and June 7, 2026 elections. In all three races, PDK came second after Vetëvendosje. In the June elections, according to results certified by the CEC, PDK received 19.44 percent of the votes and 22 seats, while Vetëvendosje won 53.

Before leading the party, Hamza served as Minister of Finance, Governor of the Central Bank of Kosovo (2013–2017), and Mayor of Mitrovica.