Ukshini: Citizens disturbed by constant elections

Former diplomat Syle Ukshini says that citizens are tired of the constant repetition of elections. He believes that the return of Vjosa Osmani to the Democratic League of Kosovo could weaken Self-Determination, but also that this would return Kosovo to a deadlock situation.

Ukshini told Kosovo Online that a compromise must be reached.

“I think that what tires and disturbs citizens the most are the constant elections, because elections are meant to choose a team that governs the country, Kosovo. People now see elections only as competition and an unwillingness to compromise. In the Balkans, compromise is interpreted incorrectly, as weakness. I believe there is a lack of willingness to compromise. Ibrahim Rugova made compromises from 2001 to 2004, Hashim Thaci did it in 2014, and I think it is also necessary for Kurti to do so. A small party that does not have votes cannot make compromises, a large party must do that. It has the votes. Someone can even win 70 percent in elections, but democracy is beautiful when there is balance,” he said.

As he added, if Osmani wins over a certain number of Self-Determination voters, that will open the question of “what next.”

“People hope that perhaps Vjosa Osmani will lead to the growth of the Democratic League of Kosovo. If that happens, it will not happen because of Democratic Party of Kosovo votes, but because of Self-Determination votes. That means Self-Determination would lose five to six percent. If it loses five to six percent, there will be problems regarding what comes next. If Kurti did not vote for Osmani in the previous mandate, I do not believe he will do so now,” Ukshini said.

On the other hand, he added, criticism of the Democratic Party of Kosovo has so far been heard from Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti, which threatens the possibility of cooperation.

“If we have elections again in the autumn, it will truly become a boring Turkish soap opera,” Ukshini said.