Kosovo parties agree on Bekim Sejdiu as joint presidential candidate
The ruling Self-Determination party and the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) have agreed on the joint candidacy of former Constitutional Court judge Bekim Sejdiu for the post of president of Kosovo. The agreement between party leaders Albin Kurti and Lumir Abdixhiku may help overcome the political crisis that has continued since the parliamentary elections in June.
As Balkan Insight reports, Abdixhiku announced the decision at a joint press conference with acting Prime Minister Kurti and LDK and Self-Determination lawmakers. According to him, the negotiations were difficult and lengthy, and the sides considered several candidates before settling on Professor Bekim Sejdiu.
Candidate's experience
The 51-year-old Sejdiu called the nomination a sign of great trust and an honor. He stated that his professional aspirations had mainly concerned academia, but given the responsibility of the presidential office and the current political situation, he decided to serve the republic, its citizens and the state.
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Sejdiu previously served as a judge of Kosovo's Constitutional Court. From 2008 to 2012, he was Kosovo's ambassador to Turkey, and from 2012 to 2014, he was Kosovo's consul general in New York. Since 2002, he has worked as an associate professor at the Department of International Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Pristina. More recently, Sejdiu also served as an adviser to then-President Vjosa Osmani.
Parliamentary procedure
Following the June elections, Kosovo's parliament has still not completed its constituent procedure because of disputes between the parties over the election of the president, who is elected by lawmakers. Acting parliamentary speaker Avni Dehari of Self-Determination has not resumed the constituent session that began on August 6. The party has also not nominated a candidate for speaker, demanding a prior agreement on the presidential election.
In the elections, Self-Determination won 53 of the 120 seats in parliament, the Democratic Party of Kosovo won 22, and the LDK won 18. To be elected president, Sejdiu must receive at least 80 votes in the first two rounds. If the vote reaches a third round, a simple majority of 61 votes will be sufficient for victory. Abdixhiku called for the parliamentary constituent procedure to be completed without delay, for a new government to be voted on, and then for the presidential vote to be held.
