LDK MP Armend Zemaj has commented on developments following the party’s internal elections, emphasizing that the membership’s position must be respected.

He announced that 51% of the delegates present supported extending the mandate of the current chairman, describing the result as a political decision that must be accepted by everyone.

Zemaj stressed that the LDK continues to be the only home of democracy in Kosovo, as decision-making belongs to the membership through voting.

According to him, the LDK membership expressed its will yesterday, and 51% of the delegates present voted in favor of continuing the current chairman’s mandate.

The MP said that this political decision must be respected, adding that he still believes only a strong LDK can serve a strong Kosovo.

He called on everyone to work toward rebuilding the party, describing this as a shared obligation.

Zemaj concluded his reaction with the phrase: Always proud.

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Lumir Abdixhiku, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, has expressed dissatisfaction with an initiative by one-third of the delegates to remove him. He made the remarks in a speech to delegates at LDK’s extraordinary assembly, which is expected to determine his political future as party leader.

Abdixhiku described the decision as deeply misguided and one-sided, particularly because the Republic of Kosovo is facing an institutional crisis.

Speaking about how the assembly was convened, he said that when he took office as leader five years ago, he was aware that the position would not belong to him forever. According to him, it was a temporary mandate entrusted to him by the delegates and a responsibility that had to be carried out honorably before one day being returned to the party.

He stressed that the assembly had not been convened by him, but by the delegates. Abdixhiku described this as a democratic mechanism provided for in LDK’s statute and said that, as party leader, he regarded it as his duty to respect the initiative and organize the assembly without a single day’s delay.

The LDK leader said he does not consider the meeting a celebration. According to him, for the first time in the party’s 37-year history, delegates have gathered not to elect someone, but to oust someone.

Abdixhiku said that neither he nor the party membership views the assembly as a festive event. He stated that, regardless of the outcome of the day, July 30 will be recorded in LDK’s political history as the date when a meeting was organized with the aim of ousting the party leader.

According to him, democracy is harmed when ousting someone becomes the objective. He added that if such an action is intended to diminish this political home, LDK will emerge from it neither better organized, stronger nor more united.

Abdixhiku also objected to the timing of the assembly. He noted that the country is going through an institutional crisis and that the issue should have been decided in LDK’s regular elections.

He said that only LDK would be harmed, while the initiators could have waited a few more months, as from today the position of party leader would be open to anyone who believes they deserve it. Nevertheless, Abdixhiku called for the path already chosen to be followed calmly, prudently and democratically.

According to him, the assembly is misguided because it was initiated unilaterally, at a sensitive time for the country and a decisive moment for the party. He stressed that the meeting is being held only a short time after LDK’s extraordinary assembly and just a few months before the regular assembly for the party’s internal elections.

Addressing the delegates, Abdixhiku asked where LDK would be today if the same level of engagement had been shown during the national elections.

He said he often wonders what position the party would be in today if this much energy had been invested in the national elections. According to him, in that case, neither this assembly nor the previous one would ever have been held in LDK. Abdixhiku said he would have liked to see this positive energy during the campaign instead of it being directed against one another, adding that he rejects such a mindset and feels only regret.

Following the conclusion of Abdixhiku’s speech, the extraordinary assembly is continuing its proceedings behind closed doors. Delegates will vote on the motion seeking his removal.

A total of 327 delegates are attending the meeting out of the 350 members of this party body.

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Ahead of the start of the Democratic League of Kosovo Assembly, Sibel Halimi, a member of the party’s leadership, dismissed the possibility that the situation could escalate during the day.

She said the LDK operates on the basis of internal democracy and that it is therefore essential for each delegate to vote in accordance with their personal convictions. Halimi expressed confidence that the process would conclude successfully, while denying that there had been any pressure to vote for or against.

According to her, LDK delegates are highly aware of the importance of making reasoned arguments and the power of words. For this reason, Halimi said there was no pretext for any incident to occur during the proceedings and that everything would go as smoothly as possible.

Halimi also said that convening such an assembly had not been necessary. However, since such a step is required by the statute, she expressed confidence that the LDK would once again emerge with its reputation intact.

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Kosovo Democratic League MP Armend Zemaj has called for the convening of an Extraordinary Assembly of the party and the organization of internal elections, assessing this as the only step to return the LDK to success.

In a public statement, Zemaj addressed the party leader to take this action, amid internal debates that have intensified after recent political developments.

“My most honest appeal to the LDK chairman is to meet, call an Extraordinary Assembly and announce extraordinary elections, so that we pave the way for future victories of the LDK,” he said.

This request comes at a time when critical voices against the party leadership have multiplied, prompting discussions about the necessity of reforming and reorganizing the leadership structures.

Former MP candidate Blerim Sinani, in a response to the newspaper, stressed that the LDK must adhere to its Statute and that the Extraordinary Assembly process should be conducted in a democratic spirit. He appreciated the fact that the Presidency has begun preparations as a sign of respecting party rules.

“The LDK clearly defines in its Statute the procedure for calling an Extraordinary Assembly. If the legal conditions are met, it is in the party’s interest that the process be guided by the principles of internal democracy. The fact that the Presidency immediately started preparations shows that the LDK respects the Statute and remains the most democratic subject in the country,” Sinani said.

He added that delegates should have the final say on leadership, after a thorough discussion on the electoral result and the party’s future. Sinani stressed that the decision should be based on the best plan for the development of the LDK.

“Regarding the leadership issue, I believe the final word should be given by the delegates. They are the ones who expressed their will just a few months ago and have the legitimacy to determine the best path for the LDK. I believe that before voting, an open discussion is necessary not only about the electoral result but also about the future vision. Delegates have the right to be informed about the current leadership’s platform, the next steps and the approach in negotiations for the formation of institutions. In the end, the decision should be based not only on what has happened, but also on the conviction of what is the most favorable plan to move the LDK forward,” he concluded.

Political analyst Vesel Makolli, in a statement to the newspaper, assessed that the LDK needs reflection, unity and a democratic process to overcome the internal crisis. He underlined that the party leader must enjoy broad support and that the party should focus on the program, not on personal clashes.

“The situation in the LDK is alarming. Another assembly like that of ‘Chairs’ would mark the end of this party. The party urgently needs deep reflection, unity and a credible democratic process, where the leadership race is conducted with dignity, respecting different opinions and focusing on the program, not on personal conflicts. The membership and the citizens of Kosovo expect a vision, ideas and alternatives for governance, not internal quarrels that undermine trust in the party. The LDK, as one of the parties with the longest tradition in Kosovo, has the responsibility to preserve democratic culture and emerge from the crisis with stronger institutions, not with new divisions. If past mistakes are repeated, the consequences could be severe both for the party and for the electorate that desires a united and serious LDK,” Makolli emphasized.

He added that a distinction must be made between the trust a state leader must have and that which a party leader must have from the membership. According to him, a state leader with over 50% of popular support has strong legitimacy, but the standard for a party leader is higher. He must enjoy much broader support within the membership, because his role is to unite and represent the overwhelming majority of the structures.

“If the membership’s trust falls below 80%, the leader should seriously reconsider his work, approach and decisions. And when support drops below 60%, as happened in the last confidence vote for the LDK chairman and now with the collection of 43% of signatures for the General Assembly, this is a clear sign that trust has been severely damaged. In these circumstances, urgent actions must be taken that serve unity, the restoration of trust and the priority of party and state interest over any personal interest. No one should be bigger than the LDK itself, because this party has an extraordinary history and an irreplaceable role in building the state of Kosovo,” he continued.

Makolli stressed that in any democratic party, responsibility for the electoral result begins with the chairman. When the electorate’s trust drops and the party fails to return as a winning alternative, resignation should not be seen as weakness, but as an act of political and moral responsibility.

“In this context, Armend Zemaj’s call is a sincere appeal to the LDK chairman to convene an Extraordinary Assembly and announce extraordinary elections, to pave the way for LDK’s victories. This action would be in the interest of the LDK membership and supporters, of Kosovo and of chairman Abdixhiku himself, for whom an eventual dismissal by the General Assembly would mark the end of his political career,” he concluded.

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The debate over the future of the Democratic League of Kosovo has intensified following recent political developments, while criticism of the leadership and calls for reform and reorganization of the party’s governing structures are growing within the party.

LDK MP Armend Zemaj has called on the party to hold an Extraordinary Assembly and announce internal elections. According to him, this is the only step that can once again open the way for the LDK to achieve electoral victories.

In a public statement, Zemaj urged the party leader to step down, convene the Extraordinary Assembly and call extraordinary elections so that the LDK can return to winning ways.

Blerim Sinani: Delegates Should Decide by Assessing the Past and the Best Plan for the Future

Former LDK parliamentary candidate Blerim Sinani told “Bota sot” that the Extraordinary Assembly process should be organized in accordance with the Statute and the standards of internal democracy.

Sinani stressed that the LDK Statute clearly defines the procedure for convening an Extraordinary Assembly. If the statutory requirements have been met, he said, it is in the party’s interest for the entire process to be conducted democratically.

He said the leadership’s immediate launch of preparations for the Assembly would demonstrate that the LDK follows its own rules and remains the most democratic party in the country.

Speaking about the party’s leadership, Sinani said the final decision rests with the delegates. He recalled that the same delegates expressed their will just a few months ago and therefore have the legitimacy to determine the best path for the LDK.

According to him, the vote should be preceded by an open debate that should not be limited solely to the election result but should also address the party’s future. He said the delegates should be presented with the current leadership’s platform, its vision for the next steps and the approach that will be followed in negotiations on forming the institutions.

Sinani concluded that the decision should be based not only on developments to date but also on an assessment of which plan can best move the LDK forward.

Vesel Makolli: A Repeat of an Assembly Like the “Chairs” One Would Bring About the LDK’s End

Political analyst Vesel Makolli told “Bota sot” that the situation within the LDK is alarming and warned that another assembly similar to the “Chairs” one would spell the end of the party.

According to Makolli, overcoming the internal crisis urgently requires deep reflection, unity and a credible democratic process. He said the leadership race should be conducted with dignity, respect for differing views and a focus on policy, rather than personal clashes.

He added that party members and the citizens of Kosovo expect vision, ideas and governing alternatives, not internal conflicts that undermine trust in the LDK.

Makolli emphasized that the LDK, as the party with the longest tradition in Kosovo and beyond, has an obligation to safeguard democratic culture and emerge from the crisis with stronger institutions, not further divisions. Repeating the mistakes of the past, he said, could have serious consequences both for the party and for an electorate seeking a united, serious and competitive LDK.

He distinguished between the level of trust required by a state leader, such as a prime minister or president, and the support that a party leader should enjoy among the party’s own membership.

According to Makolli, a state leader backed by more than 50% of citizens can be considered to possess strong democratic legitimacy. For a party leader, however, the standard should be higher, since it is their duty to unite, lead and represent the overwhelming majority of the party’s structures.

He said that when confidence among the membership falls below 80%, the leader should seriously reassess their work, approach and decisions. Meanwhile, a drop in support below 60%, as occurred at the most recent assembly where a confidence vote was held for the LDK leader, together with the collection of signatures from 43% of the General Assembly, demonstrates, in his view, that confidence has been severely damaged.

Under such circumstances, Makolli called for immediate action to preserve unity, restore members’ trust and place the interests of the party and the state ahead of any personal interest.

He stressed that no one can place themselves above the LDK itself, citing the party’s extraordinary history and its irreplaceable role in building the state of Kosovo.

Makolli also said that, in any democratic political party, responsibility for an election result begins with the leader. When support among the electorate declines and the party fails to reestablish itself as a winning alternative, resignation, in his view, is not a sign of weakness but an act of political and moral responsibility.

In this context, he described Armend Zemaj’s request as a sincere appeal to the LDK leader to convene the Extraordinary Assembly and call extraordinary elections, with the aim of opening the way for the party to return to victory.

In conclusion, Makolli told the newspaper that such a decision would be in the interests of LDK members and supporters, Kosovo and Abdixhiku himself. According to him, Abdixhiku’s possible dismissal by the General Assembly would have marked the end of his political career.

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Armend Zemaj, a deputy of the Democratic League of Kosovo, has called for the convening of the party’s Extraordinary Assembly and the organization of internal elections, considering this a necessary step to put the LDK back on the path to success.

In a communication to the media, Zemaj addressed the party leader to take this action, following internal discussions that have erupted after recent events on the political scene.

“The most honest appeal to the LDK leader is to reflect, call the Extraordinary Assembly, and announce early elections. Let us pave the way for LDK’s victories,” Zemaj emphasized.

This call materializes at a moment when voices opposing the current direction of the party have multiplied, fueling debate over the necessity of a reform and restructuring of the leadership ranks.

Analyst Vesel Makolli, in a statement to “Bota sot,” assessed that the LDK needs deep meditation, cohesion, and a democratic mechanism to overcome the internal impasse.

He underlined that the party leader must enjoy massive support from the militants and that the organization should focus on its program, not on individual clashes.

“The situation in the LDK is worrying. Another assembly like the one of the ‘Chairs’ would seal the end of the LDK. The party urgently needs a deep introspection, unity, and a credible democratic process, where the competition for the leadership post is conducted with grace, respecting divergent opinions and focusing on the program, not on personal battles. The militants and the people of Kosovo demand vision, concepts, and options for governance, not internal divisions that erode trust in the party,” he stated.

Makolli added that the LDK, as the entity with the oldest tradition in Kosovo and beyond, has the duty to preserve democratic culture and emerge from the crisis with stronger structures, not with new fissures. If past mistakes are repeated, the consequences could be severe not only for the party but also for supporters who expect a united, serious, and competitive LDK.

He made a distinction between the trust an institutional leader must have and that which a party leader must have among his militants. Makolli explained that a party leader must have much broader support within the membership, because his task is to unite, guide, and represent the absolute majority of the structures.

“If the membership’s trust falls below 80%, the leader must seriously review his activity, approach, and decisions. While if support drops below 60%, as happened in the last confidence vote assembly for the LDK chairman, and now when 43% of the signatures of the General Assembly have been gathered, it is a clear indicator that trust has been severely damaged,” he argued.

According to him, in such circumstances urgent actions must be taken that serve unity, the revival of militants’ trust, and the placing of party and state interests above any personal interest. No one should be more important than the LDK itself, as this party has an extraordinary history and an irreplaceable contribution to the building of the state of Kosovo.

Makolli stressed that in every democratic organization, the responsibility for electoral results starts with the chairman. When the electorate’s trust diminishes and the party fails to return as a winning alternative, resignation should not be seen as a weakness but as an act of political and moral responsibility.

He described Armend Zemaj’s call as a sincere appeal to the LDK leader to convene the Extraordinary Assembly and announce early elections, paving the way for the party’s victories. This action, according to Makolli, would benefit the membership, supporters, Kosovo, and Chairman Abdixhiku himself, for whom a possible dismissal by the General Assembly would mark the end of his political career.

On the other hand, Blerim Sinani, a former LDK candidate for deputy, told “Bota sot” that the party must respect the Statute and that the Extraordinary Assembly process should be conducted in the spirit of internal democracy.

He praised the Presidency’s preparations for holding the Assembly as evidence of respect for party rules. “The LDK has clearly defined in its Statute the manner of convening the Extraordinary Assembly. If the statutory criteria have been met, it is in the party’s interest for the process to be conducted in the spirit of internal democracy. The fact that the Presidency immediately started preparations for holding the Assembly shows once again that the LDK respects the Statute and remains the most democratic party in the country,” Sinani said.

He added that the decision on the LDK’s leadership should be made by the delegates, after an open discussion about the electoral result and the party’s future. Sinani emphasized that the choice should be based on the best plan for the LDK’s development.

“Regarding questions about leadership, I think the final word should belong to the delegates. It is precisely they who expressed their will a few months ago, and they have the legitimacy to decide which is the best path for the LDK. I believe that before the vote there should be an open discussion not only about the electoral result but also about the future. The delegates have the right to hear the current leadership’s platform, the vision for the next steps, and the approach to negotiations for institution-building. Ultimately, the decision should be based not only on what has happened but also on the conviction of which is the best plan to move the LDK forward,” Sinani concluded.

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