Acting Prime Minister and Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti has spoken publicly for the first time about Bekim Sejdiu’s candidacy for President, expressing optimism about the process and saying that efforts are being made to reach a positive outcome.
Asked about the agreement reached with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Kurti said:
“We are trying to do what is best, and we are working well. We hope everything will go well.”
Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku agreed on Monday to support Sejdiu, a former judge of the Constitutional Court, as their candidate.
Kurti had remained silent during the joint press conference with Abdixhiku, where the agreement was announced. Abdixhiku publicly thanked Kurti and Vetëvendosje for what he described as their “constructive” approach during the negotiations, after which Sejdiu addressed the media.
The agreement is now being discussed internally within both parties.
Vetëvendosje is holding internal party discussions, while LDK has also convened its leadership and parliamentary group to discuss the candidacy.
However, the proposal has not been without disagreement inside the LDK.
Two of the party’s deputy leaders, Imri Ahmeti and Gazmend Muhaxheri, argued that Sejdiu’s name should first have been discussed by the party’s General Council.
At the same time, LDK officials close to Abdixhiku have called on all of the party’s MPs to support Sejdiu’s candidacy.
One of the clearest objections has come from LDK MP Avdullah Hoti, who has openly stated that he will not vote for Sejdiu.
Hoti later explained that his opposition was not personal, but based on what he described as a political and institutional principle. According to Hoti, the President should be a unifying figure and he believes the proposed candidacy does not meet that standard.
Despite the disagreement, the LDK leadership issued a statement saying that Sejdiu’s nomination had received “full unanimity” within the party leadership and called on its MPs to act in accordance with the party’s decisions and their responsibilities as LDK representatives.
For his part, Kurti is keeping his message brief but positive:
“We are trying for the best, and we are working well.”
