Prime Minister Albin Kurti said Tuesday that the Vetëvendosje (VV) leadership will hold a meeting to decide on its next steps regarding the election of Kosovo’s president, as the constitutional deadline for choosing a head of state approaches its expiration.
Speaking at a press conference, Kurti called on the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) to commit to participating in a parliamentary session to elect the president. In return, he reiterated that Vetëvendosje would support convening an extraordinary session to proceed with the second reading of the draft law on the Specialist Chambers.
“We will hold another meeting within our political subject and see what is best to do. I do not believe I should be the one speaking now; others should say whether they are truly determined not to leave Kosovo without a president. The logical order of steps is that we now receive an answer to this additional offer,” Kurti said.
Only hours remain before the deadline for electing Kosovo’s president expires, raising the possibility of an early parliamentary election if the process fails.
Kurti on Police Conduct During Protest
Asked about Monday evening’s protest, during which pyrotechnics and tear gas were used, Kurti said several cases had been referred to the Police Inspectorate to determine whether any police officers had used excessive force.
“I was in the Assembly until after midnight and was nowhere else. I do not know the details of the protests. I do not know the moment when the police intervened, but I know that several cases have now been referred to the Police Inspectorate to determine whether there was any excessive conduct by a police officer,” Kurti said.
Kurti Says LDK Owes Six Votes to Vetëvendosje
Kurti also said he had not communicated with LDK Chairman Lumir Abdixhiku, but indicated that he intended to contact him again.
According to Kurti, the LDK had previously negotiated with Vetëvendosje on behalf of all 18 of its deputies, but that number subsequently fell to 12, preventing the election of presidential candidate Bekim Sejdiu.
“We have not communicated with the LDK chairman. It is true that he has done his part, but when he negotiated with me, he negotiated on behalf of 18 deputies. The agreement was made in their name, and then those 18 became 12, which prevented us from electing Bekim Sejdiu,” Kurti said.
“Any similar situation must ensure that the LDK owes six deputies to LVV. I will communicate with him again,” he added.
Kurti’s remarks come amid an unresolved political standoff over the presidential election and the timing of the second reading of amendments to the Specialist Chambers law.
