The latest attempt at cooperation between the Vetëvendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo also ended without an agreement, plunging the political scene into an even more fragile period. The deadline for finding a solution is narrowing, while the country faces major questions over the functioning of its institutions.

LVV leader Albin Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku met at the Assembly, but their conversation produced no agreement. After the meeting, Kurti told reporters that there had been no developments to announce, as the parties had failed to reach an agreement.

“We have no news as long as we have no agreement,” Kurti declared, adding: “Once we reach an agreement, we will be able to inform you.”

Abdixhiku did not comment to the media after the meeting.

The talks took place on Wednesday, just hours after LDK representatives announced that the party was seeking the post of president of the country.

Today, August 6, the constitutive session of the eleventh legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo is expected to be held. This session also sets in motion the constitutional deadlines for forming the new government and for the procedure to elect the president. In the absence of an agreement between the two main political forces, it remains uncertain whether the institutions will be able to function and whether Kosovo will avoid another political crisis.

Qarri: The head of state should be elected by citizens, not through party bargaining

Political analyst Gani Qarri views the current deadlock as evidence that Kosovo needs constitutional changes. In a statement to “Bota sot,” he said the president should be elected directly by citizens, as this would prevent the head of state from becoming dependent on agreements between political parties.

According to Qarri, the president should represent the unity of citizens and should not be the result of political bargaining.

“The bad experience with the current parties in reaching political consensus and creating functioning state institutions makes it necessary to amend the relevant articles of the Constitution so that the president is elected by the vote of the citizens. The president should be a symbol of the unity of the people, not a tool of political parties, which for nearly two years now have been taking the country from one election to another and leaving it without stable institutions,” he told “Bota sot.”

He recalled that the constitution of the Assembly activates the constitutional deadlines for forming the executive and electing the president. However, Qarri expressed doubts that these processes would be completed, particularly because of recent developments within the LDK.

“The narrow result of the vote on extending Lumir Abdixhiku’s mandate shows that deep divisions exist within the LDK, which could make it difficult to reach an agreement with the winning party on the election of the president, since it remains unclear whether the number of votes from this party’s deputies will remain constant,” Qarri said.

The analyst assessed that the meetings held so far between LVV and LDK had produced no concrete result. According to him, the fact that the parties have limited themselves to announcing that dialogue will continue shows that their differences remain significant.

“Despite the several-hour meetings between representatives of LVV and LDK, there was no concrete agreement. It was only said that the talks would continue, which suggests that serious uncertainties and disagreements still exist between the parties,” he emphasized.

Qarri said the LDK should have analyzed LVV’s offer of a governing coalition more carefully, taking into account the election result and its internal situation.

“The offer of the post of Assembly speaker, the position of deputy prime minister and several ministries was an opportunity that the LDK should have seriously considered. Instead, insisting solely on the post of president does not help resolve the political and institutional crisis,” Qarri declared.

As the more acceptable solution, he mentioned the election of a nonpartisan president who could be supported by the political parties and would serve the interests of citizens.

“LVV itself has publicly stated that it is ready to support a nonpartisan president. This would be the best option for the country and a real opportunity to overcome the political deadlock,” he assessed.

Qarri warned that if a solution is not found for the institutions and the presidency, the country could head toward new early elections. According to him, such a scenario would have political and economic consequences.

“If consensus is not reached on making the institutions functional and electing the president, the continuation of the institutional crisis and the possibility of new elections are at risk. This would be a heavy burden on the state budget, a test of the citizens’ patience and a situation that does not serve Kosovo’s stability and security,” Qarri concluded.

Burjani: Without an agreement with the LDK, Kosovo is heading toward elections

Analyst Blerim Burjani also described the situation as complicated. Speaking to “Bota sot,” he said that Albin Kurti has only one opportunity to avoid a new electoral process: reaching an agreement with the LDK.

According to Burjani, such an agreement should include the post of president for the LDK, as well as five ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The issue is complicated. Kurti has only one path: to give the LDK the position of president and five ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Otherwise, elections are unavoidable. The state matters more than LVV and LDK,” he said.

Burjani criticized what he described as Vetëvendosje’s stubbornness, as well as that of part of the electorate that supports this approach, even though, according to him, it is clear that Kurti is failing to establish institutions and is taking the country toward repeated elections.

“The stubbornness of VV and perhaps of the electorate that votes this way, knowing that Kurti does not deliver institutions but conflict and produces elections, is a serious problem. So, if it is known why people should vote, this issue remains open. Either the electorate becomes aware, or there is self-destruction,” Burjani said.

He emphasized that political decision-making should be guided by the state interest, rather than by party calculations or individual gains.

“Self-destruction comes from irresponsibility, political bravado and the unwillingness or failure to put the state first, rather than party and individual interests,” Blerim Burjani concluded to “Bota sot.”

The post Today marks Kosovo’s decisive institutional test: What scenarios could follow the failure of the Kurti–Abdixhiku talks? appeared first on Albeu.com.

Kosovo’s political scene has entered a delicate period following another unsuccessful attempt to reach an agreement between the Vetëvendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo, as the deadline for a deal draws closer.

The latest talks between LVV leader Albin Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku produced no result, despite efforts to devise a formula for institutional cooperation.

After the meeting at the Assembly ended, Kurti told reporters there could be no news until an agreement had been reached.

He added that the public would be informed as soon as the parties reached an agreement, while Abdixhiku did not speak to the media after the meeting.

Wednesday’s meeting took place only a few hours after LDK representatives announced that the party was seeking the presidency.

Today, August 6, the inaugural session of the 11th legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo is expected to be held. The session will also trigger the constitutional deadlines for forming the new government and the process of electing the president. Under these circumstances, the fact that the two main political parties have still not reached an agreement raises further questions about making the institutions functional and avoiding another political crisis.

Qarri: The head of state should receive a mandate from citizens, not through party deals

In a statement to “Bota sot,” political analyst Gani Qarri said the continuing deadlock and the parties’ failure to establish functioning institutions demonstrate the need for constitutional amendments that would allow the president to be elected directly by citizens.

In his assessment, the president should represent unity and should not emerge as the product of compromises between political parties.

Qarri said the negative experience with the current political parties, both in building consensus and establishing functioning state institutions, makes it necessary to amend the relevant articles of the Constitution so that the president is elected by popular vote. According to him, the head of state should be a symbol of national unity rather than an instrument of political parties, which for nearly two years have been taking the country from one electoral process to another without stable institutions.

He stressed that the constitution of the Assembly triggers the constitutional deadlines for forming the government and electing the president, but expressed reservations about whether this could be achieved, citing recent developments within the LDK.

According to Qarri, the narrow result in the vote to extend Lumir Abdixhiku’s mandate demonstrates deep divisions within the LDK. He said these divisions could complicate efforts to reach an agreement with the winning party on the president, as it is unclear whether the votes of LDK lawmakers will remain consistent.

The analyst also assessed that meetings between the Vetëvendosje Movement and the LDK have yielded no concrete outcome, making the prospect of a political compromise even more uncertain.

He emphasized that although LVV and LDK representatives held talks lasting several hours, the parties emerged without an agreement. According to him, the mere announcement that dialogue will continue shows that serious uncertainties and differences remain between them.

Qarri believes the LDK should have treated LVV’s proposal for a governing coalition more seriously, particularly in view of the election result and the party’s internal situation.

He said the offer, which included the post of Assembly speaker, the position of deputy prime minister and several ministries, represented an opportunity that deserved serious consideration by the LDK. According to Qarri, insisting solely on the presidency does not help overcome the institutional and political crisis.

In his view, a nonpartisan presidential candidate would be the most acceptable solution for all political parties and, at the same time, the option that would best serve citizens.

Qarri recalled that LVV has also publicly expressed its willingness to support a nonpartisan president. He described this as the most favorable option for Kosovo and a concrete opportunity to break the political deadlock.

In conclusion, the analyst warned that if an agreement is not reached, the country could once again end up holding early elections, with political and economic consequences.

According to Qarri, failure to secure consensus on making the institutions functional and electing the president would prolong the institutional crisis and push Kosovo toward new elections. He stressed that such a development would burden the state budget, test citizens’ patience and do nothing to support the country’s stability and security.

Burjani: Kurti has only one option; otherwise, elections cannot be avoided

Blerim Burjani also spoke to “Bota sot” about the issue. He described the situation as complicated and assessed that Prime Minister Albin Kurti has only one option for preventing elections.

According to Burjani, the way out would be an agreement with the LDK under which the party would receive the presidency and several ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He said Kurti should offer the LDK the presidency and five ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Otherwise, according to him, elections would be inevitable, while the condition of the state is more important than that of the LVV and the LDK.

Burjani considers VV’s stubbornness—and perhaps that of the electorate that votes this way—a serious problem, even though voters know that Kurti, in his view, does not produce institutions but conflict and elections. He added that the question remains as to why people should vote this way if this is known, presenting the situation as a choice between greater voter awareness and self-destruction.

He also emphasized that political responsibility should be guided by the interests of the state, not by personal or party gains.

Concluding his statement to “Bota sot,” Blerim Burjani said self-destruction stems from irresponsibility, political grandstanding and an unwillingness to put the state first, ahead of individual and party interests.

The post Kosovo Faces Decisive Test as Analysts Warn of Consequences After Kurti–Abdixhiku Fail to Reach Agreement appeared first on Albeu.com.

The latest failure to find common ground between the Vetëvendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo has plunged the political arena into a delicate moment, while the room for a possible agreement is rapidly narrowing.

The latest talks between LVV leader Albin Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku ended without consensus, although there were efforts to build a bridge for institutional cooperation.

After the meeting at the Assembly premises, Kurti told reporters that there was no news until an agreement was reached. He added that once the agreement was finalized, there would be a public announcement. Abdixhiku, meanwhile, chose not to speak to the media at all after the talks ended.

Wednesday’s session took place just hours after prominent LDK figures publicly called for their party to take the presidency.

Today, August 6, the constitutive session of the eleventh legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo is scheduled to take place, simultaneously opening the constitutional deadlines for forming the new government and selecting the head of state. In this context, the absence of an agreement between the two main political forces adds to the dilemmas over the functioning of the institutions and the possibility of avoiding a new political crisis.

Political analyst Gani Qarri, in an interview with “Bota sot,” stressed that the continuing political deadlock and the parties’ inability to build consensus show that Kosovo should consider constitutional changes so that the president is elected directly by popular vote.

According to him, the figure of the head of state should embody unity and not be the product of party bargaining. He argues that the negative experience with today’s parties in reaching consensus and creating functioning institutions makes it necessary to review the constitutional provisions for the election of the president by citizens. In his view, the president should be a symbol of popular unity, not a tool of parties that for nearly two years have kept the country in electoral cycles without stable institutions.

Qarri emphasizes that the constitution of the Assembly also marks the start of the constitutional deadlines for forming the government and electing the president, but he questions whether this process will be achievable because of internal developments within the LDK. He notes that the narrow vote of confidence on the continuation of Abdixhiku’s mandate shows that there are deep divisions within the LDK, which could make it more difficult to reach an agreement with the winning party on the president, since it remains unclear whether the party’s number of deputies will be stable.

The analyst believes that the meetings held between the Vetëvendosje Movement and the LDK have produced no concrete results, increasing uncertainty over the possibility of an agreement. He stresses that despite lengthy talks between the representatives, no agreement was reached, and it was only said that the talks would continue, signaling that serious uncertainties and disagreements still exist between the parties.

According to Qarri, the LVV offer of a coalition government should have been analyzed more carefully by the LDK, taking into account the election result and its internal situation. He says that the offer of the position of Assembly speaker, the post of deputy prime minister and several ministries was an opportunity that the LDK should have seriously considered, and that insisting solely on the presidency does not help resolve the crisis.

He adds that the election of a nonpartisan president would be the most acceptable alternative for all political entities and would serve the citizens. LVV itself, according to him, has publicly expressed its readiness to support a nonpartisan figure, which would be the best option for the country and an opportunity to overcome the political deadlock.

In the end, Qarri warns that the lack of an agreement could push the country toward new early elections, with political and economic consequences. He concludes that if consensus is not reached on making the institutions functional and electing the president, the continuation of the crisis and a move toward elections are at risk, which would be a heavy burden on the budget, a test of the citizens’ patience and a situation that does not serve Kosovo’s stability.

Meanwhile, Blerim Burjani also spoke on the same issue, describing it as complicated and saying that, in his view, Prime Minister Kurti has only one way forward to avoid elections.

He stressed that an agreement with the LDK would be the solution, giving it the position of president and five ministries, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Burjani said that the issue is complicated and that Kurti has only one option: to offer the LDK the presidency and five ministries, including the Foreign Ministry; otherwise, elections are unavoidable. He added that the state is worse off than the parties.

Burjani described the stubbornness of VV and perhaps of the electorate that votes while knowing that Kurti produces not institutions but conflict and elections as a serious problem. According to him, if it is known why people should vote, this issue remains open, and the alternative is either the electorate becoming aware or self-destruction.

Moreover, he stressed that political responsibility must be linked to the interests of the state and not to party or individual interests, concluding that self-destruction results from irresponsibility, political arrogance and failing to put the state first, rather than party and individual interests.

The post Today, Kosovo’s Big Test – Experts Outline Scenarios After the Kurti-Abdixhiku Deadlock appeared first on Albeu.com.