Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has stated that the main political priority at this moment is to avoid early elections, emphasizing that there are real possibilities to prevent them.
Following his meeting with Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku, Kurti said the atmosphere with the opposition “has never been more constructive” and that discussions will intensify over the next two days in an effort to find a solution.
Kurti explained that Vetëvendosje, with 30 signatures, can propose only one presidential candidate, while with the inclusion of minority votes that are part of the governing majority, two candidates can be proposed. He added that opposition parties also have the right to nominate their own candidate.
“The Constitution obliges us to avoid elections. We must engage to the maximum to ensure we do not go to elections. The conditions are ideal to have three candidates, and currently we have none,” he said, adding that communication with political parties will continue.
According to him, there is still neither a consensus figure nor a political agreement with any opposition party. He noted that the Democratic Party of Kosovo’s position — that the proposal should be partisan — makes reaching an agreement more difficult.
“We must have at least 80 MPs in the chamber for the vote, but we cannot risk proceeding with only 80 because if some leave, the country automatically goes to elections. Avoiding elections is an absolute priority,” Kurti stated.
He warned that although there are opportunities to avoid early elections, “it would not be the first time that unreasonable things happen in Kosovo.”
Kurti recalled that in the past he attempted to be elected prime minister with 65 MPs but it was not possible — whereas now, according to him, the situation is even more complicated, as the majority lacks 14 votes for certainty.
He reiterated that political parties face a constitutional obligation to find candidates and avoid elections, describing the current lack of candidates as the main challenge of the moment.
