Lushaku: Bekim Sejdiu’s Candidacy Will Have My Support

Democratic League of Kosovo MP Jehona Lushaku said she would vote for Bekim Sejdiu as president of Kosovo. According to her, the proposed candidate has the experience and integrity needed to represent the country with dignity.

“Yes. The proposed candidate is a university professor. Bekim Sejdiu has also been my colleague at the University of Pristina for many years. He is someone who has carried significant responsibility and was part of the state-building process, as well as the subsequent development of higher education in Kosovo and diplomacy,” Lushaku said.

She said Sejdiu meets the criteria required of a president, both in terms of integrity and civic unity. Lushaku stressed that he would be able to represent Kosovo with dignity, particularly under the current political circumstances.

“Considering all the political circumstances and the fact that Kosovo has been without institutions for two years now—institutionally empowered bodies that shape Kosovo’s policies—it is imperative that we restore the institutions and provide citizens with political stability. Consequently, I will support this candidacy in order to give the country its institutions,” the LDK MP stated.

Lushaku spoke before a meeting of the LDK Presidency, where political developments, the constitution of the Assembly, the issue of the president, and the establishment of all institutions as soon as possible were expected to be discussed.

She said the name of the presidential candidate would also be discussed at the meeting, alongside political developments and the constitution of the Assembly. Lushaku said the matter would be addressed together with the other members of the Presidency.

Asked about claims that some LDK MPs might not vote for the president and whether the proposed candidacy had received the approval of all MPs, Lushaku said the party leader and the negotiating team had been fully authorized to negotiate, make proposals, and discuss names.

“We authorized the leader and the team to negotiate, and they had full authority to make proposals and discuss names. We are now discussing the matter within an even broader circle. So, this is an entirely normal process. There cannot be, so to speak, agreement as long as no consensus has been reached and many names are being discussed,” she said.

The MP said she had not learned the candidate’s name beforehand, before it was made public by the parliamentary group. She explained that those authorized by the party had conducted discussions and negotiations on the LDK’s behalf, describing this as a normal procedure.

Regarding MPs who might not take part in the vote or contribute to securing a quorum, Lushaku said the decision and responsibility ultimately rested with each of them individually.

“Ultimately, it is the responsibility of each MP to decide individually. But we should not forget that we are part of a political platform and a political party that we support. However, it is not only up to the LDK to vote for or against the candidate. This was an agreement, so to speak, between the LDK and VV, but the candidacy will be put before the entire Assembly of Kosovo,” Lushaku stressed.

She added that securing a majority depends on each MP and all political parties, while every representative must publicly explain to voters why they supported or did not support the candidacy. According to Lushaku, this is both an individual responsibility and a responsibility toward the state of Kosovo.