Zeqiraj: If LVV aims for the presidency, Mazllum Baraliu is the most suitable candidate

According to political analyst Idriz Zeqiraj, the Vetëvendosje Movement has a broad membership base and capable professionals who can take on high leadership responsibilities, including the head of state. However, he emphasizes that due to the party’s internal structure, most of these figures remain out of public attention.

“Currently, Vetëvendosje has over 30,000 members and within it there are individuals who deserve key positions in government and state institutions, even that of the President. But LVV has a particular organizational model, with rare public appearances, due to a centralized system, therefore its cadres are not very visible on the public scene,” Zeqiraj said.

He points out that, although the basic law does not prevent the winning party from controlling the three most important state posts, such a scenario would be contrary to democratic principles.

“When discussing which LVV official could take the presidency, I believe this political force should be content with leading the government and the Assembly, as a result of the mandate won. The post of President, on the other hand, should be entrusted to the opposition. Although the Constitution does not prohibit it, logic and democratic health require that one of the three main functions be led by the opposition,” he added.

Zeqiraj also believes that acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti is using the advantage of numbers in the Assembly to dictate the process of electing the next president.

“LVV, together with its partners Guxo, Alternativa and non-Serb minorities, has secured 65 votes. In this situation, the opposition has practically no chance to realistically compete, as the outcome is predetermined,” he assesses.

Speaking about scenarios that would avoid a new electoral cycle, Zeqiraj states that opposition lawmakers may be put in a position to support the process even without their will.

“If the goal is to spare the country from repeated elections, the MPs, although not obliged, may stay in the hall to enable the election of the president, accepting the prime minister’s proposal,” he declared.

Nevertheless, in case the presidential candidate would come from within Vetëvendosje, Zeqiraj mentions a figure who, according to him, meets all standards for this duty.

“If the president were from the ranks of LVV, I think university professor Mazllum Baraliu would be a deserved choice. He has served as a senior cadre in the Constitutional Court and is a respected figure in the academic, legal and political spheres of Kosovo. He is distinguished for in-depth constitutional analyses and is known as a measured, balanced personality, open to citizens and officials, without party distinctions,” Zeqiraj concluded.