Naim Qelaj, the Ombudsperson, told KosovaPress that Kosovo is entering its second year without fully functioning institutions as a result of repeated elections.

He assesses that the failure to form institutions is directly affecting human rights and increasing citizens’ uncertainty about future developments in the country.

Qelaj: The failure to establish institutions undermines and seriously harms human rights

“This is the second year that Kosovo has continued to function without fully formed institutions, as a result of the repeated elections taking place in Kosovo. The failure to establish institutions undermines and seriously harms human rights, first and foremost because of the stagnation of legislative initiatives, amendments to laws and the adoption of new laws that directly affect citizens’ lives, their well-being and the raising of living standards. It naturally also greatly affects the work of other institutions themselves, which in the absence of supervisory authorities remain at a very low level of engagement in their daily work, as well as in projects that they are unable to complete and unable to start anew. And this, of course, has led to the citizens of Kosovo today facing a situation of insecurity, or unpredictability, as to what will happen next,” Qelaj said.

According to him, the conclusion of the most recent elections should be followed by the creation of institutions, while he stresses that any further prolongation of political and institutional crises would bring even more serious consequences for the country.

Qelaj underlines that some institutions are continuing their work with extended mandates, including the Ombudsperson institution.

Qelaj: A large number of institutions are operating under extended mandates

“I consider that the result of the most recent elections will be finalized with the creation of institutions and that there will be no continuation of other political and institutional crises, because we are also in a difficult situation where a large number of institutions are operating under extended mandates, including the Ombudsperson. So, I am in the position of Ombudsperson with an extended mandate, according to the law until the election of the new Ombudsperson; otherwise, my five-year mandate expired back in October of last year. The damage being caused to Kosovo by the failure to create institutions is extraordinary. I think the institutional and political responsibility of the people who are responsible for creating these institutions should be greater and stronger; there should not always be thinking only in terms of political calculations and the division of power,” he added.

The Ombudsperson points out that this crisis has produced budget restrictions, blockages in legislative initiatives, infrastructure projects and the justice reform process. According to him, one of the fundamental pillars of this reform should be respect for the separation of powers.

Qelaj: We have stagnation in justice reform and other processes that have been launched

“We have budget restrictions, restrictions on legislative initiatives, and on new infrastructure projects. We have stagnation in justice reform, and we have stagnation in many other processes that have been launched, and this is the result of this institutional and political crisis, which in a way is even losing its meaning. The first thing that I consider important in justice reform is that the separation of powers must be respected. Everyone who lives in Kosovo and who bears institutional responsibility must know that interference in the branches of power and the influence over or capture of the judicial branch by the legislature or the executive seriously undermines Kosovo’s democracy,” he stressed.

He also expressed concern about what he sees as a tendency toward interference in the justice system, calling for politics and the executive not to influence the judiciary and the prosecution.

Qelaj: I think there have been actions that show a tendency to interfere in justice

“I think there have been actions that show a tendency to interfere in justice. Starting from the reactions of institutional leaders toward specific names. To mention them as undesirable for leadership positions within the prosecutorial and judicial system, and all the way to calls and tendencies to announce vacancies, or to take concrete actions. The justice system, the Judicial Council and the Prosecutorial Council, are independent authorities, whose decision-making should be based on the law and on the needs and plans they themselves make, and not on the basis of political agendas. Therefore, my call in this case is for politics and the executive to stay as far away as possible from interference in the justice system, while always supporting it and coordinating and cooperating in the interest of genuine reform,” Qelaj said.

The latest elections in Kosovo were held on June 7 of this year, and the winner was the Vetëvendosje Movement.

The Central Election Commission has still not certified the results, as some candidates for MPs have filed complaints with Kosovo’s Supreme Court.

LVV leader Albin Kurti told the media that after the certification of the results, he will begin communication with political parties to secure an agreement on the creation of institutions, as well as on the election of Kosovo’s president.

The previous elections were held on December 28 and February 9. In those electoral processes as well, LVV was the winner, but in the December elections no agreement was reached on the election of the president.

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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.”

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In a statement to “Bota sot,” Albanian activist in the US Agim Aliçkaj said that the June 7 vote confirmed for the third consecutive time the winner and the legitimacy of LVV’s governance together with its partners.

According to him, the opposition emerged defeated and received fewer votes than the winning coalition, while any attempt to come to power with the help of the Serbian List would, in his assessment, be harmful to state interests.

“The unnecessary June 7 elections, caused by Kosovo’s opposition, were carried out successfully. The election results confirmed for the third time in a row the will of the people of Kosovo for Prime Minister Albin Kurti and his coalition of LVV, Guxo, Alternativa and PSHDK to lead Kosovo for another full mandate. They are the true winners and there are no others.

The real losers are PDK, LDK and AAK, which together have fewer votes than LVV and its coalition. The hopes of some misguided opposition politicians to take power with the help of the hostile organization Lista Srpska were also extinguished. The people did them a favor, because such a thing would be a betrayal of state and national interests,” he said.

Aliçkaj further assessed that the establishment of the new institutions could proceed without difficulty, but raised concern that an obstacle could appear again in the process of electing the President.

“Based on the number of deputies, it is expected that the constitution of Parliament and the Government will be carried out without problem by the winner of the elections, together with the minorities, except for the Serbian List. However, the issue may get stuck again over the election of the President, for which, based on an erroneous decision of the Constitutional Court, it is required that even in the third round of voting 80 deputies be present in the chamber. This creates the possibility of an endless blockage of the state by the losers of the elections.

Prime Minister Kurti declared after the elections that he is ready for cooperation with the opposition parties, which is a good start. Since, as the winner, he is in a more favorable position than the others, it would be good for him to take additional steps toward rapprochement with the opposition in the interest of the state, especially on the issue of electing the President.

Although he is the main victim of low political attacks, a public call from him, addressed to everyone, to stop demeaning rhetoric, slander, lynching and insults against political opponents would further increase his authority among the people,” he stressed.

According to Aliçkaj, the main message the opposition should take from these elections is that the will of the citizens must be respected, while any blockade that he describes as harmful will be punished by the people’s vote.

“The main lesson from these elections for the opposition was clear, if it has ears to hear, eyes to see and a mind to understand: do not play with the will of the people, because the people punish you. If you continue with harmful and senseless blockades, you will never take power from the people.

Unfortunately, the statements of some representatives of the losing parties after the elections are not very encouraging. They are focused on blaming others for their deserved defeat. Claims that the majority of the people and Kosovo’s exemplary diaspora are uneducated and deceived, thus being made responsible for their loss, are wrong, unjust and pathetic. In reality, they are deceiving themselves.

They must finally understand that only the people of Kosovo can decide their political fate. Their hopes that in order to defeat Kurti they would be helped by the wandering former American ambassador, the Serbian lobbyist Grenell, Albania’s outgoing prime minister Edi Rama, and the disoriented former president Vjosa Osmani, proved futile,” he added.

The activist from the US also opposed narratives that, according to him, aim to portray Prime Minister Kurti as problematic in relation to the internationals and strategic issues, calling them unfounded.

He also addressed the issue of the President, emphasizing that his election should be seen as a shared responsibility of political entities and not as an instrument for institutional blockage.

“Their attempts to portray Kurti as anti-American are likewise futile and without any basis. Presenting acceptance of investment in ‘American gas’ as a condition for electing the President is a miserable attempt to justify the continuation of blockades. Investments should be based on economic interest and not on love for America.

Finding a suitable candidate for President of Kosovo is the duty of all political parties and must no longer be used by anyone to block the functioning of the state. Kosovo needs a unifying President, one who does not belong to any party, who is capable, educated and a dignified representative at the international level. The proposal of three candidates by the opposition and the voting of one of them by the parliamentary majority represents a real compromise,” he assessed.

In the end, Aliçkaj called on the opposition to abandon its blocking approach and take a more constructive role in the country’s political life.

“It is high time for the opposition to move away from blockades, become a constructive opposition and allow the winner to lead the state. Then it should prepare for the regular elections by offering concrete proposals for the development of the state, declare itself against its own past corruption, against the Serbian association and demands for the partition of Kosovo, against the Serbian List as a terrorist organization, demand the punishment of Serbian criminals and stop being servile to foreigners.

If they want to win the people’s vote for power, they must convince the people of Kosovo that they have changed and that they have become better than Prime Minister Kurti. There is no other way. If they continue with blockades and boycotts, they will end up on the wall of shame in Kosovo’s history. The wise and enlightened people of Kosovo are not afraid and cannot be deceived,” Aliçkaj concluded to “Bota sot.”

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