The right in Kosovo between aspiration and reality – divisions hinder unity, could Osmani be the key?

The unification of the right-wing in Kosovo currently appears to be a difficult goal to achieve due to deep divisions among political parties. However, analysts speaking to Kosovo Online assess that a potential consolidation, particularly with the involvement of Vjosa Osmani, could significantly alter the balance of power in domestic politics and challenge the dominance of Self-Determination. They also agree that the focus of such a bloc would be on maintaining strong relations with the West, while its position on the dialogue remains uncertain.

Written by: Petar Rosic

The President of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, recently spoke about the possibility of a broad unification of the right-wing in Kosovo.

“All potential must be united,” Abdixhiku said, adding that he is committed to strengthening and regrouping the right in Kosovo through the broadest possible political unification, in which all those who believe in right-wing values and a pro-Western orientation could find their place.

Abdixhiku also emphasized that the current President, Vjosa Osmani, would play an important role in such a project.

Although many blame the LDK for the opposition’s failure to form a government last year, calls for unification are also coming from other parties.

Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Enver Hoxhaj stated that opposition parties should find a new model of cooperation.

“It is high time to determine whether we should continue operating within this framework of cooperation or take a more concrete path in how we act as an opposition,” Hoxhaj said.

The Concept of the Right in Kosovo

Speaking to Kosovo Online, political scientist Ognjen Gogic first points out that the concept of the right has a different connotation in Kosovo compared to political life in Serbia.

“While in Serbia the right refers to parties that are nationalist, sovereignist, and perhaps even anti-Western, in Kosovo it has a different meaning. It primarily refers to parties currently in opposition—LDK, PDK, and the Alliance. They identify as center-right parties, in contrast to the ruling Self-Determination, which is a left-wing party. In the Kosovo context, the right essentially means parties that are pro-Western, as opposed to the current government,” he said.

A Front Against Kurti

Commenting on Abdixhiku’s initiative, Gogic says that its core objective is political opposition to Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

“Abdixhiku avoids saying explicitly that this would be a front against Kurti, but that is essentially what it is. He wants it to sound ideological—as a unification of parties that are pro-Western and that would not create problems in relations with the West as Kurti has done,” he noted.

When it comes to the feasibility of such unification, Gogic points to the relations among the parties.

“LDK sees itself as the central party, but the question is whether PDK, which currently has a stronger position, would accept being part of a broader front led by LDK,” he said.

The Problem of Divisions Among Leaders

However, political analyst from Pristina Artan Muhaxhiri assesses that the idea of a major unification of the right in Kosovo has no real basis.

“I think this is an unrealistic idea. I do not believe there is any chance that the Kosovo right can unite, gather, and form a single political bloc or front, because the divisions among them are enormous. This was demonstrated last year when they were expected to unite against Prime Minister Kurti, but they failed to do so. They remained divided, and Kurti won 51 percent precisely because of the opposition’s lack of unity, including the right-wing parties,” he stated for Kosovo Online.

According to him, such unification requires a clear platform and plan, which currently do not exist.

“This is more wishful thinking than reality,” he assessed.

He added that such a development would be beneficial, as it would create a large bloc capable of opposing Prime Minister Kurti and Self-Determination more effectively and coherently.

“In the current situation, other political parties—PDK, LDK, and AAK—are very weak compared to the 51 percent held by Prime Minister Kurti and Self-Determination. For example, it could resemble the situation in the United States, where you have Democrats and Republicans—just two major blocs,” Muhaxhiri emphasized.

He reiterated that while this would be desirable, it is not realistic given the ambitions of party leaders.

“Each of them would want to be the leader of that bloc, which is impossible, and therefore I do not think this is feasible. I do not see many chances for this to happen,” Muhaxhiri concluded.

The Role of Osmani

However, Gogic sees a special role in the potential unification of the right in the possible political engagement of Vjosa Osmani.

“Abdixhiku is relying on the possibility that Osmani will return to party politics, given that her presidential mandate is coming to an end. It does not seem realistic that she would return to her original party, Guxo, and there is speculation that she could become a renewed figure within LDK. Abdixhiku is likely hoping that her return would be a factor that could unite the entire opposition against Kurti. This is being considered in the context of expected parliamentary elections in Kosovo. Regardless of the Constitutional Court’s decision, it seems that Kosovo will head to elections,” Gogic assessed.

Speaking about the potential electoral impact of such a bloc, Gogic believes it could be significant.

“If a broad coalition of these parties were formed and Osmani joined them, it would be a strong pre-election bloc capable of challenging the electoral result of Self-Determination. Even LDK alone, strengthened by Vjosa Osmani, could reach into Self-Determination’s electorate and weaken its support, as Kurti has been criticized—even among his own voters—for not nominating her for re-election,” he said.

Regarding political discourse, Gogic assesses that the focus would be on relations with the West.

“That bloc would not initially speak much about its stance toward Serbia and the dialogue. That would be secondary. The main rhetoric would concern Kosovo’s pro-Western orientation—that Kosovo should move toward the European Union and improve relations with the United States. A significant asset would be the fact that Osmani positioned Kosovo internationally and that she has clearly received support from Donald Trump,” the analyst stated.

Approach to the Dialogue

He added that it is still too early to say how such a bloc would position itself regarding the dialogue if it came to power.

“They will certainly criticize Kurti’s moves in the dialogue. The opposition has also criticized the new facilitation measures related to the implementation of the Law on Foreigners. They will always position themselves to criticize whatever happens in the dialogue and look for weaknesses in Kurti’s approach, but if they were to take power, they would likely be more cooperative,” he said.

He emphasized that the key difference would lie in their approach to international partners.

“That bloc would be clearly oriented toward the European Union and the United States and would not risk damaging relations with Europe and America over the dialogue or relations with Serbs in Kosovo or with Serbia, as has happened during Kurti’s governance. Therefore, that bloc would likely be more constructive,” Gogic concluded.