Kosovo’s Acting Minister for Communities and Return, Nenad Rašić, has stated that the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) remains his primary partner for talks on forming a new government. However, he strongly emphasized that the process must not be limited solely to electing a cabinet, urging a comprehensive “package deal” that includes electing the next president to preemptively block institutional paralysis.
In an interview with Ekonomia Online, Rašić argued that the recent electoral outcomes must be respected, noting that after a grueling cycle of four successive elections, it is time for Albanian political parties to reach a consensus and permanently end Kosovo’s chronic institutional crises.
“Naturally, the Vetevendosje Movement is the first address. This is not just because of our shared experience over the last three to four years, but because LVV secured 53 seats in the Assembly out of the 100 dedicated to Albanians. They hold a clear majority of the Albanian MPs, and that fact must be respected,” Rašić declared.
Demand for Proactive Cooperation and a Strategic Package
Rašić clarified that minor parties and minority communities will not accept a passive role in the upcoming administration. Instead, they seek a proactive partnership where their proposals are actively integrated into the governing framework to ensure long-term stability.
A key priority for Rašić is pushing the incoming Prime Minister and LVV leadership to forge a broad consensus with opposing Albanian political parties, particularly regarding the presidency, which he identified as the primary vulnerability in the post-election landscape.
- Avoiding Fragmented Planning: Rašić warned against establishing one branch of government without a concrete plan for the others.
- Blocking External Interference: He stated that a comprehensive “package deal” is essential to ensure that “enemies of Kosovo’s institutions cannot exploit gaps through political pressure or maneuvers.”
Overcoming “Absurd” Hostilities to Save the Year
Invoking international strategic evaluations, Rašić referenced stark warnings from Brussels regarding Kosovo’s political stagnation.
“The European Union explicitly noted that 2025 was a lost year. That deeply affected me, because I do not want our institutions to waste entire years due to political ego. We must act decisively now to prevent 2026 from being branded as another lost year,” Rašić warned.
He criticized the ongoing psychological gridlock and animosity between major Albanian factions, describing the local mentality of acting “për inat” (out of sheer spite) as an absurd barrier that ultimately punishes ordinary citizens.
Constitutional Mandates and Executive Ambitions
When asked if he expects to retain his ministerial portfolio, Rašić reminded interlocutors of the strict legal framework governing the executive branch. The Constitution of Kosovo mandates that at least one minister must hail from the Serb community; any government voted into power without fulfilling this condition would be fundamentally illegal.
“The choice lies entirely with the major Albanian parties who bear the responsibility of governance. They must decide whether to partner with me—as the sole representative outside of Lista Serbe—or with Lista Serbe itself,” he remarked.
Reflecting on his 20-year milestone in local politics, Rašić concluded with a blunt warning regarding a potential failure to build a coalition: “If we fail to find a solution now, we politicians will literally need a special law creating a commission headed by a psychiatrist. Failure here would mean a total collapse of the system I have believed in for two decades.”
