Former Vetëvendosje MP, Enver Dugolli, stated that the secret ballot process for electing the Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly is highly democratic, as it grants individual MPs the freedom to vote according to their conscience, regardless of party lines.
His remarks come as the Kosovo Assembly has failed for the 20th time to elect a speaker, due to a lack of support for Vetëvendosje’s nominee, Albulena Haxhiu.
“The most important decisions should be made through a secret ballot,” Dugolli said on the program “KallxoPërnime,” emphasizing that such a method protects MPs’ independence from strict party discipline.
Kreshnik Gashi, however, disagreed with this stance, arguing that a secret vote should be used only in emergencies, since MPs represent the public and their decisions must be transparent.
Dugolli also addressed:
- The Democratic League of Kosovo’s (LDK) refusal to cooperate with Vetëvendosje, insisting that Vetëvendosje—as the first-ranked party—has made the first move toward government formation.
- The ideological proximity with the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA), suggesting they are natural allies within the broader social democratic framework.
This closeness was criticized by journalist Milazim Koci, who claimed it feels unnatural and resembles past behavior of other parties when in power.
The process of electing the Assembly Speaker remains stalled, awaiting a ruling from the Constitutional Court, which has not yet issued an opinion on the legality of using a secret ballot to elect the Speaker.
