The Mayor of Junik, Ruzhdi Shehu, has reacted following the publication of the preliminary results of the October 12 elections.
Full statement:
Dear citizens of Junik,
In the October 12, 2025 elections, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) received around 49% of the votes in Junik. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) came second with 38.9%. This means that LDK clearly dominated, with a lead of approximately 10.1% — or about 372 votes. However, due to a difference of roughly 40 votes, Junik will hold a runoff election on November 9 for mayor.
The LDK branch in Junik expressed concern that AAK, as the second-placed party, is conducting an undignified campaign that disrespects Junik’s values. In the absence of a clear program or arguments, AAK has resorted to social media attacks, mentioning local youth, women, and families both in Junik and the diaspora.
“In the morning, they post insults about our women and girls, and by the afternoon they go door-to-door begging for votes, saying: ‘For God’s sake, give me your vote, because my law office in Gjakova isn’t doing well.’”
According to Shehu, AAK members have even created fake Facebook profiles to like and share defamatory posts. However, he added, “the people of Junik are not easily deceived.”
Shehu announced that dozens of criminal complaints and civil lawsuits will soon be filed against AAK representatives for vote-buying attempts, voter manipulation, denial of voting rights, defamation, insults, and other legal violations.
“Mr. Kuçi will not only lose the elections in Junik,” Shehu stated, “but also the court battles that await him.”
He called on citizens of Junik, both in Kosovo and abroad, to remain calm and not fall for provocations or lies. Shehu accused AAK of trying to insult families and deny the Junik identity of people who live or work abroad, saying:
“You may temporarily live elsewhere, but your permanent home will always be Junik unless you decide otherwise.”
Shehu concluded by emphasizing:
“Junik belongs to its people. Agron Kuçi and his superiors from Deçan have no authority to decide who is or isn’t from Junik. With calm but unwavering determination, we will defend Junik until the very last second — we will not allow anyone to desecrate our families, our honor, or the values for which Junik is known across all Albanian lands.”
