Parties representing minority communities in Kosovo have voiced their support for the swift formation of new institutions, including the process of electing the country’s next president.
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On August 31, the Vetëvendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo announced they had agreed on Bekim Sejdiu as their joint candidate for the head of state position.
The failure to elect a new president had led the country to early parliamentary elections in June, the third such vote since February 2025, and a new blockade would again trigger fresh elections.
Out of a total of 120 seats in the Assembly, 20 are reserved for non-majority communities, ten of which belong to the Serb community and another ten represent other ethnic minorities.
Emilja Rexhepi, a representative of the New Democratic Party from the Bosniak ranks, confirmed she will vote in favor of Sejdiu’s candidacy. In her statement to Radio Free Europe, she expressed hope that the entire LDK parliamentary group would unite behind this decision, stressing the urgent need to consolidate the new government.
Rexhepi added that it is good news that LVV and LDK have finally reached an agreement to propose Bekim Sejdiu, but she highlighted the risk posed by MP Hoti’s public reaction, who has declared he will not support him. According to her, the lack of unity within LDK could create difficulties during the voting process.
On the same note, Elbert Krasniqi from the New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo briefly told RFE that he supports this candidacy.
Fikrim Damka, a representative of the Turkish party KDTP, emphasized to Radio Free Europe that the absolute priority for all political forces must be overcoming the deadlock and establishing fresh institutions. He described the agreement on Sejdiu’s name as a positive signal and a crucial step forward.
“Our position is clear: Kosovo has no more time to lose with delays and new blockades. The interest of the state and its institutions must be placed above party divisions. For this reason, we support the swift conclusion of the constitution process and moving forward with the election of the President, in a responsible and constitutional manner,” Damka stated. He also added that any political agreement that aids stability and the functioning of the state must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
The VAKAT coalition also confirmed to RFE that they will participate in the vote and cast their ballot. Rasim Demiri, spokesperson for this coalition, described this as a political and institutional obligation. He clarified that their vote will be responsible and based on the coalition’s principles, the interests of the citizens they represent, as well as on consultations and agreements that will be finalized.
Demiri stressed that for them, the figure of the president must embody the unity of all the people, respect the constitution, and be the main guarantor of equality and rights for all communities living in Kosovo.
Meanwhile, Albert Kinolli, an elected MP from the United Roma Party of Kosovo, also declared his support for Sejdiu. Praising his previous engagement and contribution, Kinolli said he meets all the criteria to be a consensus president. He added that he considers Kurti and Abdixhiku to have made the right choice and that his political entity welcomes and supports this decision.
Radio Free Europe has also tried to obtain a stance from the Serb List and other parties such as the Party for Freedom, Justice and Survival, the Social Democratic Union, the Social Democratic Party of Ashkali, and the United Gorani Party, but so far there has been no response from these political formations.
If he secures the necessary votes, the 52-year-old Sejdiu would become Kosovo’s sixth president. However, despite the LVV-LDK agreement being well-received, analysts have expressed concern to RFE that its implementation could face obstacles. This is because LVV and LDK jointly hold 71 votes, while at least 80 MPs must be present in the chamber for the vote to be valid. Moreover, the unity of the LDK parliamentary group appears shaken, due to Avdullah Hoti’s open opposition to Sejdiu’s candidacy.
