The situation that has recently emerged within the Democratic League of Kosovo is being seen as a factor that could affect the establishment of new institutions, with particular emphasis on the process of electing the President of the Republic.
The meeting, which lasted more than two hours, between Vetëvendosje Movement leader Albin Kurti and LDK chairman Lumir Abdixhiku has not removed doubts over whether Abdixhiku can count on the support of all 18 MPs in his party’s parliamentary group during the presidential election.
Të lidhura
None found
Debates over internal relations within the LDK have intensified following discussions about convening an extraordinary assembly, where a confidence vote for chairman Lumir Abdixhiku would be sought.
Vetëvendosje Movement officials believe that these developments within the LDK could directly affect the presidential election, while raising doubts about the unity of the party’s MPs.
LVV MP-elect Adnan Rrustemi said there is no entirely unified position within the LDK parliamentary group regarding the formation of institutions.
Rrustemi: What is happening in the LDK could help or complicate the election of the president
“Developments within the LDK are of importance to third or external parties only to the extent that they affect the process of forming institutions, specifically the election of the President of the Republic. What is happening in the LDK either contributes to or complicates the election of the president. I cannot know, but at least at the beginning of these developments, the impression was created that, among other things, there is a kind of clash between groups within the LDK over the direction this party should take. I think the LDK, as the third party, is in a situation where it must determine its position on the formation of institutions… I cannot know how this affects matters, but one thing is true: the LDK’s 18 MPs are not homogeneous, in a way, when it comes to the process of forming institutions. They were not like that even after December 28, when the LDK did not have 15 MPs for a specific name, Vjosa Osmani,” he said.
On the other hand, the LDK denies that there are differences in positions, saying that Lumir Abdixhiku expresses the common position of its MPs.
LDK secretary Ilir Ferati stated that political positions on talks with LVV were decided in party bodies before the meeting with Kurti.
Ferati: Abdixhiku represents the position of all LDK MPs
“A day before the meeting, we held a meeting of the presidency. Positions are determined at the presidency meeting before going to a meeting, not after going to a meeting… Mr Abdixhiku speaks on behalf of all LDK MPs,” Ferati stated.
Political analyst Blerim Canaj, however, believes that the LDK chairman cannot have all the parliamentary group’s votes guaranteed on an important issue such as the election of the president, regardless of the party’s official position.
According to Canaj, in the event of a possible agreement between the LDK and LVV, the number of LDK MPs who would support it could be lower.
Canaj: The LDK has no more than eight to ten votes for president
“Considering the condition the LDK is in and the developments taking place within it, I can freely say that the LDK does not have more than eight to ten votes for president. Whether they nominate Lumir or Vjosa, the issue is how the other MPs who are dissatisfied, or vice versa, will act. The LDK is not an option,” Canaj stressed.
On July 10, LVV leader and acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti held separate meetings with PDK chairman Bedri Hamza and LDK chairman Lumir Abidixhiku on the formation of new institutions. According to Kurti, although no agreement was reached, the meetings will continue in the coming days.
The meetings were held after the Central Election Commission certified the election results on July 8. Vetëvendosje Movement came first in the elections with 47.13%, or 53 seats in parliament. The Democratic Party of Kosovo came second with 19.44%, or 22 MPs. The Democratic League of Kosovo won 16.69% and 18 seats, while the Alliance secured 6.74% and seven seats. Non-majority communities, meanwhile, secured 20 seats.
