Kurti and Abdixhiku Discuss President; Is the Way Opening for an Agreement Between LVV and LDK?

Albin Kurti, leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, and Lumir Abdixhiku, leader of the LDK, held discussions several days ago regarding the criteria and profile of Kosovo’s new president. Both leaders expressed readiness to seek a joint solution.

The meeting has revived the possibility of a political agreement between LVV and LDK at a time when the country is facing an institutional deadlock and needs a solution that would enable the normal functioning of institutions.

However, it remains unclear whether the talks will produce a concrete agreement. The discussion on the criteria for the president may be only an initial procedure, but it could also serve as a starting point for broader political cooperation and overcoming the crisis.

Regarding this development, “Bota sot” obtained the views of publicist Lis Bukuroca and commentator Skënder Kapiti.

Bukuroca: I do not expect an agreement; the opposition is not independent in its decision-making

Publicist Lis Bukuroca does not believe that the Kurti-Abdixhiku dialogue will end in an agreement on the election of the new president. He says Kosovo needs a president and that there are dozens of people in the country capable of carrying out this duty with dignity, but the way the opposition is conducting negotiations gives him no reason for optimism.

“I do not believe a solution will be reached. Everyone knows that Kosovo needs a president and has dozens of candidates who could carry out this function with dignity. But the opposition parties appear to be using intimidation to obtain in negotiations what they did not win in elections. The main problem is that the three opposition leaders do not act with full political autonomy. They follow a broader scenario and maintain positions that do not stem solely from their own will,” Bukuroca told “Bota sot.”

According to him, even if Abdixhiku reaches an agreement, there is no guarantee that he will receive the support of the entire opposition. Bukuroca adds that other opposition parties are also putting forward demands that make an agreement more difficult to achieve.

“Abdixhiku is pretending. Even if he agrees, it is not known whether everyone will join him. The same situation applies to Hamza and Haradinaj’s party, which is setting conditions as if it were the largest political force in the country. The criteria for electing the president are so strange that it seems as though a constitutional office is not being defined, but rather a figure is being sought who must save the world,” he said.

Bukuroca also criticised the way the opposition is confronting Kurti. According to him, this is not merely a usual clash between political forces, but a conflict between two different models for the state and politics.

He describes the opposition as degraded and says it has not shown the courage to clearly distance itself from certain policies of the past that, according to him, have damaged the state. Bukuroca believes that the opposition to Kurti is collective and systematic, because Kurti represents a different model of the state, while the opposition represents an old model that failed to build a functional state, but instead a “tallava-state.”

The publicist claims that the opposition is downplaying the actions of the Kurti Government, particularly those related to northern Kosovo and the country’s security. He mentions the integration of the north, the establishment of institutional control in that part of the country, the confrontation with the terrorist group, and the arrest of several UDB operatives.

“Opposition figures often state that Kurti has done nothing or that he has dealt only with the bridge. In this way, they are ignoring the integration of the north, institutional control in that territory, the confrontation with the terrorist group, and the arrest of several UDB operatives. In any case, it is good that they continue along this path, because in December voters will give them the final answer,” Bukuroca stressed.

In conclusion, he sees the main problem in the way the opposition is carrying out its political function and in the lack of an independent stance with regard to Kosovo’s interests.

“These people are not properly representing Kosovo’s political interests. They are playing a role and appearing as extras in a political theatre. Since they are unable to make decisions themselves, their behaviour is both ridiculous and tragic,” the publicist concluded.

Kapiti: LDK is being tested and must put the national interest first

Commentator Skënder Kapiti considers the situation an important test for the LDK and Kosovo’s political direction. For him, the issue of the president is not merely an institutional procedure, but a measure of the seriousness of the parties, especially the LDK.

“Today, Albanian politics in Kosovo is being put to the test, but above all the seriousness of LDK politics. The question is whether it acts in the interest of the nation, the state and THE INDEPENDENCE OF KOSOVO, or whether we are dealing with the politics of profiteers, childish, manipulative, deceptive and hypocritical politics,” Kapiti told “Bota sot.”

He believes that LDK cooperation with LVV, if it would help overcome the crisis and stabilise Kosovo, would also be in LDK’s own interest. According to Kapiti, in this case, credit for helping resolve the crisis would go more to the LDK than to LVV and could mark the beginning of its political revival.

“If the LDK rises above narrow party interests and helps stabilise Kosovo by forming a coalition with LVV, this would first and foremost be to its own benefit. It would be recognised as having a greater role than LVV in resolving the crisis. If it contributes today to building and ensuring the functioning of the state and democracy, this would be the starting point for the LDK’s political revival,” Kapiti said.

The commentator sees compromise as an act in the service of the general interest, rather than a loss for a party that gives up part of its demands.

“It is noble and patriotic for a party to sacrifice something of itself for the common good and national interest. This is what the LDK should do today,” Kapiti concluded to “Bota sot.”

It is still unknown whether the meeting between Kurti and Abdixhiku will lead to a concrete agreement. However, the start of discussions on the criteria and profile of the future president has created a new opportunity for political dialogue between the two parties.