Pressure on Abdixhiku grows after election result, as calls for resignation and warnings of a deeper crisis increase within the LDK

After the result of the June 7 elections, in which the Democratic League of Kosovo ranked third behind the Vetëvendosje Movement and the Democratic Party of Kosovo, internal tensions and debates over the party’s political course have resurfaced within the party. This result did not change the position the LDK had also held in the previous two elections, bringing the issue of leadership responsibility back into focus.

During this week, public calls for the resignation of chairman Lumir Abdixhiku were voiced by prominent party figures, including the head of the LDK branch in Lipjan, Imri Ahmeti, and the head of the LDK branch in Peja, Gazmend Muhaxhiri.

According to them, Abdixhiku should take responsibility for the election result and for the lack of any clear electoral growth for the LDK.

For his part, Abdixhiku responded to these criticisms by calling on the critics themselves to resign, which has further intensified the internal debate over the party’s future.

These developments have opened discussion about the current situation in the LDK, the way post-election challenges are being managed, and its political direction going forward. In this context, questions are being raised about the impact these clashes could have on party unity, the risk of deepening divisions, and the steps that may be taken in the coming days and weeks.

Mjaki: Lumir is not the one who unites the LDK

The first to speak about these developments to “Bota sot” was LDK activist in Switzerland, Ismet Mjaki, who expressed dissatisfaction with the party’s current direction.

According to Mjaki, Abdixhiku acted according to his own will, choosing to bring Osmani closer, but without including important LDK figures in the party, such as Bislimi and Murtezaj.

“We are following from afar what is happening in the LDK after the elections. So, Lumir had sought a vote of confidence from the Assembly and received it from 55% of the delegates, which in a democracy is fine. But as a leader, with no opponent at all, to come out against 45% is terrible if you want to continue. Nevertheless, Lumir did as he pleased, without even forming the LDK Presidency for some time, so that he himself could decide, just like a pasha, and he did this from one end to the other.

Lumir brought Vjosa closer to save himself, and Vjosa, since she was politically dead, was saved by Lumir. I think Lumir did well to bring Vjosa in, but he did not bring in either Faton Bislimi or Valon Murtezaj from the diaspora, nor many others who were the DNA of the LDK,” he said.

Mjaki also believes that Abdixhiku is not the figure who can keep the LDK united because, according to him, he makes rash decisions and harms himself even in the eyes of the electorate.

“Lumir used the Assembly’s powers, even though the decision was that those holding posts should not be engaged. Even so, he made Ilir Ferati secretary, even though he holds the post of mayor, and Sokol Haliti secretary for abroad, even though we have no need for such theatrics in the diaspora.

Lumir is not the one who unites the LDK. He is very hot-tempered and makes decisions without thinking, making himself look bad before the electorate. A chairman who has a problem with a mayor gets in the car, goes and has dinner, and they sort it out — not with childish statements such as: ‘Let them send me their resignation, I will accept it.’ This shows that he is dividing the LDK.”

He further lined up behind the calls for the chairman’s resignation, saying that he must answer for the situation created within the party.

“Under the LDK statute, which he was not even alive when it was made, members have the right to demand accountability, resignation, and to convene the Assembly with one-third of the votes. Lumir may be able to divide the LDK, but not unite it,” Ismet Mjaki concluded for “Bota sot.”

Dajaku: The LDK needs reform and revitalization

Xhevat Dajaku, the brother of former President Rugova’s bodyguard, Besim Dajaku, also spoke about the latest developments in the LDK and the clashes surrounding it.

He first stressed that a leadership post in a political party should not be seen as a privilege, but above all as a responsibility. In this context, he said that there are individuals within the LDK who view the party simply as a tool for personal interests.

“Political parties are organized formations built around a political program and vision, shaped by experts and people with ideas and concepts for the future of society and the state. Therefore, taking a leadership position in a political party is not only a privilege, but above all a responsibility toward the party, the citizens, and the country as a whole.

However, it often happens that certain individuals see the party as a means of advancing personal interests or those of irresponsible groups, damaging the public interest and creating obstacles that in many cases have cost the state and society dearly.”

Dajaku also recalled the period when the LDK was led by historic president Ibrahim Rugova, emphasizing that after his death, divisions and disagreements have continually emerged within the party, in his view.

In this spirit, he supported the calls for the chairman’s resignation, stressing that they should not be seen as an attack on the political party itself.

“The LDK has a rich and glorious history. Throughout its journey, it took measured and decisive steps, especially in organizing parallel institutions under extraordinarily difficult circumstances, known to all those who judge with reason and objectivity. It was attacked and criticized both by Serbian enemies and by Albanians with different political positions. Nevertheless, it continued on its path until the death of the historic President, Ibrahim Rugova. After that period, internal divisions and disagreements began to appear, which are known to the public and continue to be reflected even today.

Therefore, calls for resignation or for political accountability should not be interpreted as attacks or opposition to the party, but as calls for open, transparent, and democratic debate within the party’s legitimate bodies. In every political party there are individuals and groups with good intentions, but there may also be those driven by narrow and harmful interests. For precisely this reason, serious debate, in-depth analysis, and assessments based on arguments are needed, while accepting the political reality, the causes, the circumstances, and the consequences of various developments.”

In the end, he said the LDK needs deep reforms because, according to him, unprincipled cooperation with certain entities has significantly harmed it.

He even warned that in the absence of the necessary changes, there is a risk the party will continue to lose public support.

“The LDK needs reform and revitalization. A large part of its traditional electorate, which today remains mostly silent, was connected to the values and policies that once characterized this party. However, internal developments, not always fair, as well as unprincipled cooperation with entities in which elements suspected of criminal activity have been mentioned, have caused many voters to lose trust and distance themselves from the political process, even to the point of abstaining.

The LDK needs the return of meritocracy, just as it was one of the fundamental principles in the time of President Rugova. Without meritocracy, without free debate, and without the democratic culture that once distinguished this party, not only will current efforts for accountability and reform fail, but there is a risk that the LDK will continue to lose public support and be pushed even further toward the margins of the political scene,” Xhevat Dajaku concluded for “Bota sot.”