Split in Kosovo’s Democratic League complicates presidential election
Six MPs from the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo said they would not support the joint presidential candidate agreed by the party leadership and the ruling Vetëvendosje movement. This could jeopardize the election of a new head of state and Kosovo’s exit from the political crisis, Balkan Insight reports.
Disagreement in the Democratic League of Kosovo
The party leadership’s decision will not be supported by Avdullah Hoti, Hykmete Bajrami, Arben Gashi, Armend Zemaj, Kujtim Shala and Janina Imeri. Democratic League of Kosovo leader Lumir Abdixhiku said that this position harms the process and, in his view, could lead the country to early elections.
After a meeting between Vetëvendosje and Democratic League of Kosovo leaders Albin Kurti and Lumir Abdixhiku, the latter announced Bekim Sejdiu as the joint presidential candidate. He was a Constitutional Court judge and a diplomat. Shortly afterward, former prime minister and LDK MP Avdullah Hoti wrote on Facebook that he does not support Sejdiu’s candidacy for political and institutional reasons.
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Lack of votes and risk of new elections
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Tuesday evening that new elections now appear more likely. According to him, after three elections since February 2025, there is a desire, will and interest in holding a fourth election in less than two years. Kurti also spoke of the need for a new meeting with Abdixhiku.
In the latest parliamentary elections in June, Vetëvendosje won 53 of the 120 seats in the Assembly of Kosovo. The Democratic Party of Kosovo received 22 mandates, while the Democratic League of Kosovo received 18. At the same time, according to the publication, only 12 LDK MPs are ready to vote for Sejdiu.
To be elected president in the first two rounds, Sejdiu needs at least 80 votes from MPs. In the third round, a simple majority of 61 votes is sufficient. Parliament has still not completed its constitutive session, which began on August 6: the parties have not agreed on a presidential candidate. Interim speaker Avni Dehari of Vetëvendosje has not resumed the session, and the party has also not nominated a candidate for speaker, demanding an agreement on the president first.
