Who’s Who – Memli Krasniqi: Leader of the PDK for the second time, opposed to the EU-drafted CSM Statute

Twice a minister, multiple-term MP in the Kosovo Assembly, former journalist and musician, with a master’s degree in international relations, Memli Krasniqi has been elected for the second time as the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), a party originally founded and led by Hashim Thaçi, who is currently on trial for war crimes in The Hague.

A representative of the new generation in the PDK, Krasniqi began his political career in 2004 by actively engaging with the party. Early on, he led the Center for Political Studies operating within the office of then-party president Hashim Thaçi.

He was elected president of the Democratic Youth of Kosovo in 2006 and became a member of parliament the following year. In October 2008, he was appointed political advisor to the Prime Minister and government spokesperson.

He won another parliamentary mandate in the 2010 elections and was appointed Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports in February 2011. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Rural Development.

Krasniqi views the current political deadlock and the failure to constitute the Kosovo Assembly as a result of the ruling Self-Determination party’s political obstinacy, claiming that they are holding Kosovo hostage. He also argues that the PDK is capable of forming a government.

Over the past four years, he has frequently criticized Prime Minister Albin Kurti for damaging Kosovo’s relations with its allies.

He maintains that the Community of Serb-majority Municipalities (CSM) should be part of a comprehensive agreement with Belgrade leading to mutual recognition. However, he considers the EU-drafted CSM statute to be unconstitutional and unacceptable, stating that it "creates autonomy for the Serbian community in Kosovo."

Regarding the series of government actions in northern Kosovo targeting institutions operating within the Serbian system, Krasniqi has stated that "actions taken in the north should have international support," although he also said this does not mean that closing down Serbian institutions was the wrong decision.

On the issue of opening the main bridge on the Ibar River, he said the PDK is not opposed to it but believes it should be done in coordination with international partners.

Krasniqi has visited Thaçi in The Hague multiple times. A month ago, on Kosovo’s Presidential Day, he wrote on Facebook: “Kosovo is and will always be proud of you, Hashim Thaçi.”

Kadri Veseli, who succeeded Thaçi as PDK president in 2016 after Thaçi stepped down to become Kosovo’s president, is also on trial in The Hague.

In the last parliamentary elections, Krasniqi nominated Bedri Hamza as the PDK’s candidate for prime minister, while he himself was listed second on the party’s MP candidate list. The party came in second and significantly improved its performance compared to the 2021 elections.

AP Journalist Background

Krasniqi was born in Kosovska Mitrovica on January 25, 1980. He completed his studies in political science and public administration at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Pristina, and earned a master’s degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

He worked as a journalist for the Associated Press in 1999 and 2000 and served as Director of Public Relations at the Kosovo Telemedicine Center in 2002.

He was also involved in music, working on musical projects mostly as a songwriter and as a member of the group Ritmi i Rrugës ("Street Rhythm").

He lives in Pristina, is married, and has three children.