Lumir Abdixhiku responds after calls for his resignation from LDK branches

LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku reacted in strong terms after two of the party’s branch chairmen in Peja and Lipjan publicly called for his resignation, saying this was done improperly and outside the proper channels within the party.

Abdixhiku said he was surprised that, according to him, the “coordinated suggestions and requests” for his removal were made through the media, adding that, given their long-standing cooperation, the issue should have been raised “face to face.”

He acknowledged that the election result in Peja and Lipjan was not satisfactory, but argued that LDK’s decline in these municipalities, where the party has been in government, is, in his view, linked to “internal sabotage” and to projects that have nothing to do with LDK’s identity.

Below is his full reaction:

How were they never satisfied?!

I thank the two branch chairmen, from Peja and Lipjan, for their coordinated suggestions and requests made through the media for my resignation. It would have been more proper for them to say this directly. After all, we have worked together for a long time.

I admit that the result in these two branches is not good. The fact that in municipalities where we govern we came third, in my view, only proves the extent of deep sabotage and of a project that does not belong to LDK.

I addressed the issue of my resignation at the January 31 Assembly, in the presence of these two chairmen as well. For me, the membership has spoken clearly. But for the poor performance in these two branches, for the lowest result in years, I expect moral resignations from the two chairmen in question. I will accept them immediately.

I assure the broad LDK membership that we will not allow projects aimed at dividing LDK, pushed by deliberate saboteurs, to take shape. They failed on January 31, they failed in the elections, and they will fail now as well. Since then, despite obstacles and doubts, we have nevertheless grown in such a short time. Today, under no circumstances and at no cost, will we allow the will of the overwhelming majority of LDK to be distorted into projects aimed at dividing and then extinguishing LDK.

LDK, after all, is not a confederation of local interests. Nor is it a platform for individual careers. LDK remains a national party. The only one. Belonging to no one else, especially not to any other party.

I call on the majority of the membership to remain calm in these troubled times. We will overcome every challenge, as we always have.

I have only regret that at the most important moments for LDK and the country, harming us from within continues to remain an objective. Were they never satisfied?!