Osmani and LDK moving closer to cooperation – Could their alliance threaten Kurti?

The possibility of political rapprochement between Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is becoming increasingly realistic, according to interlocutors speaking to Kosovo Online. While some believe that such cooperation could bring back a portion of LDK voters and strengthen the position of Lumir Abdixhiku, others argue that Osmani herself would gain the greatest political benefit. The key question remains how much such a bloc could actually threaten Albin Kurti in the event of snap elections.

Written by: Petar Rosic

Osmani parted ways with the Democratic League of Kosovo in September 2020, when then-party leader Isa Mustafa sought her dismissal because she did not support the party’s proposal to vote no confidence in the government of Albin Kurti.

She subsequently formed Guxo and entered into a coalition with the Self-Determination Movement (Vetëvendosje). Now, as her presidential mandate has turned into a conflict with the ruling party, speculation has emerged in public about her potential return to the LDK.

Judging by her statements, Osmani does not oppose that possibility.

“I will do what is in the interest of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo,” Osmani said in an interview with TV Syri, repeating a phrase she often uses when specifically asked whether returning to the LDK is an option.

“Politics is sometimes unpredictable; we simply have to contribute with all our being and keep the country’s interest as our primary concern,” Osmani added.

Resignations in the Guxo Party

Meanwhile, resignations have begun to occur within the Guxo party as a sign of support for Osmani.

The first to do so was MP Haxhi Avdyli, followed by Kujtim Hajdari, a member of the party presidency.

For the same reason, the entire branch of the party in the municipality of Deçan today collectively submitted irrevocable resignations.

The vice-president of Guxo, Burim Meta, also commented on the situation, saying he is awaiting Osmani’s move and assessing that the best solution would be to unite with the LDK.

Differing Views within the LDK

However, opinions within the LDK differ regarding Osmani’s possible return, with MP Avdullah Hoti expressing skepticism.

“It is clear that she served Kurti’s political agenda. We said this all along, and now she has confirmed it with her own words,” Hoti stated.

In an interview with Nacionale, he said that the damage Osmani caused to both the LDK and Kosovo is irreversible.

“The damage she personally caused to the LDK cost both the country and the party. Even after five years, we are still facing the consequences of her actions. The LDK gave her everything—nominating her for prime minister and electing her Speaker of the Assembly. The steps she took five years ago were outside the bounds of political ethics, so I do not see how this could work. She took a part of the LDK and moved it into another political camp. The damage is irreversible,” Hoti said.

However, LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku has been sending different signals for days.

Before the vote for president on 5 March, he was asked about Osmani’s possible return to the LDK.

“The LDK has never taken a position rejecting Osmani, not even in this process,” he said.

He was also the first opposition leader to support her decree dissolving the Assembly and expressed readiness for consultations.

Unification of the Right

Announcing the possibility of a broader unification of the political right in Kosovo, Abdixhiku said Osmani would have an important role in such a project and suggested that the LDK’s doors are open to all those dissatisfied with the current situation in Kosovo.

“When I say that we need institutionalists, right-wing, pro-Western, educated and wise people in this country, there is no doubt that Vjosa is essentially a very important part of that project—and not only that,” Abdixhiku emphasized.

Today he was even more explicit, stating that a potential unity between the LDK and Osmani would be beneficial for Kosovo.

Coalition Beneficial for Both Sides

Aleksandar Rapajic, program director of the NGO Center for the Advocacy of Democratic Culture from North Mitrovica, has no doubt that after tensions between Kurti and Osmani, the Kosovo president might seek a coalition partner for potential elections.

“Her strength is probably not sufficient to pass the five-percent threshold. We also see that there are major problems in the party she belongs to, Guxo, with many people leaving the party, so her political weight is gradually weakening,” Rapajic told Kosovo Online.

He adds that the most logical move would be for her to join the LDK, where she was previously a member, but recalls that she did not part ways with the party on good terms. Nevertheless, such a coalition could benefit both sides, as the LDK is also facing declining support compared with previous elections.

“The Democratic League is also in trouble, and Osmani is in trouble, so this could suit both sides. We know that the LDK suffered a decline in the last elections, so any increase in support would be significant for them. Osmani, as I already said, is in a difficult position—I do not believe she can run in elections alone. She would have to form a coalition with someone, so this would suit both sides. However, because of the way they parted, that option seems somewhat unlikely to me,” Rapajic said.

Speaking about Osmani’s popularity, Rapajic believes her current rating is more the result of political circumstances than concrete political actions.

“Osmani’s current popularity is, so to speak, undeserved. It did not arise from her political actions, but rather from circumstances—she appeared several times alongside U.S. President Donald Trump, which increased her rating in Kosovo, especially due to the not-so-good relations between the current government and the U.S. administration,” he said.

However, Rapajic believes that such popularity may be temporary if it is not accompanied by a clear political platform.

“For greater public support, she would need to have a policy of her own, and so far she has not had particularly strong political positions—she mostly followed the positions of Vetëvendosje,” he concluded.

Abdixhiku Counting on Osmani

Former Kosovo ambassador to Albania Silje Ukshini also sees cooperation between Vjosa Osmani and the LDK as a realistic possibility in the event of snap elections. He believes that Lumir Abdixhiku hopes to regain part of the electorate through Osmani while strengthening his own position within the party.

“That is very realistic, because Vjosa Osmani was elected with LDK votes. Essentially, she represents what the party calls the spirit of Rugova. It is entirely natural for her to return to the LDK or to form a new political party that would cooperate with them,” he said.

The former ambassador added that it is an “open secret” in Pristina that Osmani and Abdixhiku have close relations.

“Abdixhiku believes that through Vjosa Osmani he can regain part of the voters and strengthen his position within the LDK. He also has a rather weak position within the party itself. I believe that in future elections the main beneficiaries could be Vjosa Osmani and the LDK,” Ukshini stated.

Asked whether such a coalition could challenge Albin Kurti and the Self-Determination Movement, he said the possibility cannot be ruled out.

“I do not exclude that possibility. However, I think Ms. Osmani prefers the position of president. If such a scenario were to occur, I believe the biggest loser would be the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK),” Ukshini concluded.

Osmani Could Take Over the LDK

Security studies researcher Nikola Vujinovic told Kosovo Online that if cooperation between Osmani and the LDK were established, the current Kosovo president would effectively take over the party.

“Mr. Abdixhiku is in a very difficult position within his party. He survived a heavy electoral defeat and offered his resignation, but it was not accepted. I believe that the arrival of Ms. Osmani—especially if her name were first on the list—would essentially mean her takeover of the LDK,” he said.

He added that such a scenario could also change the internal balance within the party.

“We see that changes are also taking place within the Guxo coalition, which is her original political party, so it is likely that she would bring some of her associates with her. In that case, the LDK would become Ms. Osmani’s party, while Mr. Abdixhiku would be pushed into the background, although I believe he supports this thinking he will find a way to survive politically,” Vujinovic said.

He also recalled that part of the older LDK leadership, who founded the party with Ibrahim Rugova, have reservations about the current leadership.

“Most of the older LDK representatives who founded the party with Mr. Rugova oppose Mr. Abdixhiku and now welcome Ms. Osmani. Because of that, I expect she could become the new face of the LDK,” he said.

Speaking about whether such a political bloc could become a serious rival to Albin Kurti, Vujinovic was skeptical. He believes Osmani could help the LDK, but that it is unlikely to bring the result they hope for.

“The chances are extremely small. Her arrival could only prevent their further decline. They already suffered a historic defeat in December, so confronting Kurti, unfortunately, is not possible for them,” he said.