The chairman of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Bedri Hamza, said he will meet with the leaders of all political entities to discuss what can be done following the sentencing of former KLA leaders by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers.
Speaking after a meeting of the PDK Presidency, he said he believes in cooperation and consensus among political parties, warning that the potential damage to Kosovo could be significant.
“I will meet with all the leaders of the political entities. This is not an issue that belongs to a single political entity. Those who have been sentenced and who remain innocent were not sent there as members of a political party, but as former KLA commanders. I believe in cooperation with the other political entities and in creating the necessary consensus… We will speak with the political entities about the seriousness of the situation, but certainly, if and when a legislative initiative arises, we will naturally need the support of the other political entities… It is good to have communication among the leaders of the political parties. As soon as our schedules and circumstances allow, we will meet,” he said.
He said the PDK will undertake all concrete actions, including legal and democratic measures.
Asked about dissolving the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, he said the PDK already has the necessary signatures prepared and that, depending on the circumstances, the process will move forward. He stressed that it is essential for Kosovo to adapt to the new situation following the sentencing of the former KLA leaders.
“As the PDK, we will take concrete action, including legal and democratic measures. Legal measures through legislative initiatives, and democratic measures because we recognize people’s right to protest and express disagreement with a particular decision or position. However, for the sake of the country and given the seriousness of the situation, we call for everything to remain within democratic rules. It must be handled carefully, and under no circumstances should anyone be harmed—neither any institution nor any individual…
“We are not talking about dissolving the Kosovo Specialist Chambers; we are talking about adapting to a new situation. We are not walking away from the obligation we undertook for the court to investigate, present, and establish all the findings of the Dick Marty report, which is why the court was established. Whatever is contained in that report concerning organ trafficking and other issues, including the Yellow House, we will be there. We are not avoiding that responsibility,” Hamza stressed.
He also left open the possibility of returning to parliamentary activity, including potentially withdrawing the case concerning the constitution of the Assembly from the Constitutional Court.
The PDK has referred to the Constitutional Court the issue concerning the constitution of the 11th Legislature and the formation of the Kurti IV Government, while it had previously announced a boycott of the work of the Assembly.
“When circumstances change, our position must change as well. Priorities also change. There is no greater priority in this situation than for us, as a state, to act in accordance with the interests of the state. Not only for those individuals, the former KLA commanders, but above all in the interest of the state. Therefore, based on the importance and circumstances, we will act accordingly… If necessary, we will be in the Assembly. If there is a need, that takes priority over everything else,” he said.
The PDK chairman also called for protests, while recognizing them as a legitimate means of expressing public discontent, to be conducted without damaging the country’s institutions.
