Former Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has commented on her relationship with Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti, saying that although they have recently cooperated, disagreements still exist between them.
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During an interview on the “Inside Albania” program on Euronews Albania, Osmani was asked whether her relationship with Kurti had changed. She explained that the two sides had coordinated on the election of a suitable president for Kosovo, but that this had not eliminated their other political differences.
According to Osmani, she and the political force she represents are currently in opposition, while Kurti is in government. Nevertheless, she emphasized that their recent cooperation to find a president was a successful process that was carried out well. Osmani said she believed in the country’s interests and long-term future, but added that disagreements on many other issues continued and that, for precisely this reason, they had chosen to remain in opposition.
Osmani warned that the political and institutional uncertainty was causing Kosovo extremely serious harm. She said that at this stage it remained uncertain whether the country would have functioning institutions, a situation which, in her view, harmed the people of Kosovo and its interests domestically and on the international stage.
She assessed that the consequences of this situation could be irreversible, describing the damage as extraordinary and expressing regret over the situation that had developed.
Analyzing the reasons that had led to the political deadlock, the former president said it was the result of a combination of factors. As an example of a different approach, she mentioned former President Ibrahim Rugova and the way he dealt with his political opponents.
Osmani recalled that, despite major political clashes, Rugova managed to place the country’s interests above himself and his party affiliation. She stressed that, immediately after the war, the differences between the LDK and other parties were much greater than those of today, but Rugova found ways to bring people together in the interests of Kosovo.
Her criticism was also directed at the current political class. Osmani cited personal interests, revenge and ego—particularly male ego—as obstacles making cooperation more difficult.
She said the first party should understand that cooperation, coalitions and working together were in the country’s best interests, just as President Rugova had once understood. According to Osmani, such an approach would also be in the interest of the party itself, while she described the lack of understanding in this regard as highly regrettable.
After Albin Kurti did not nominate Vjosa Osmani for a second presidential term, she joined the LDK list and was elected as a member of the Assembly of Kosovo.
