A major surprise in Albin Kurti’s proposed government lineup — which ultimately failed to win parliamentary approval — was the absence of Besnik Bislimi, one of the prime minister’s most trusted allies and long-serving deputy.
In the new cabinet presented to parliament, Kurti proposed Glauk Konjufca as First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, replacing Bislimi, who has held the deputy prime minister post for nearly five years. Notably, Bislimi was not assigned any ministerial role in the proposed government.
For years, Bislimi had been considered Kurti’s “de facto” deputy, often representing the government in his absence and leading key policy negotiations — particularly in Kosovo’s dialogue with Serbia and economic affairs. However, in recent months, Bislimi has been noticeably quieter and less visible in public and political engagements.
His prominence within Vetëvendosje (VV) dates back to 2017, when he served as head of the party’s electoral staff and later as deputy party chairman. By 2021, he had risen to the influential position of First Deputy Prime Minister, following in the footsteps of Haki Abazi, who briefly held the same role before leaving the movement.
Kurti’s decision to replace Bislimi with Konjufca — currently Speaker of the Assembly and one of VV’s founding members — has sparked questions about internal dynamics and strategic recalculations within the ruling movement. Analysts suggest the move may reflect a shift in political priorities or an effort to reorganize the leadership structure amid growing parliamentary challenges and strained relations with international partners.
Regardless of the reasons, Bislimi’s exclusion marks a significant turning point in Kurti’s political team and could signal upcoming changes in VV’s internal balance of power.
