Gogic: The search for a unifying presidential candidate is Kurti’s “ruse”; he does not want Osmani

Political scientist Ognjen Gogic told Kosovo Online that Albin Kurti could secure the election of any candidate he proposes for President of Kosovo, including Vjosa Osmani, and that the search for a “unifying figure,” as it is being presented, is in fact Kurti’s “political ruse.”

“It is not that insurmountable. In the end, the opposition parties need to provide a quorum, and it is truly hard to imagine that the opposition would be so bold as to trigger a new crisis and provoke new parliamentary elections. What is actually happening here is that Kurti is looking for an alternative to Vjosa Osmani and that he does not want her. It is not that the opposition does not want Osmani, so that Kurti cannot obtain their support; rather, Kurti is seeking an alternative name, under the pretext that he allegedly cannot secure opposition backing for the election of Vjosa Osmani,” Gogic assesses.

He adds that it remains a major question whether a new name will emerge and whether Kurti has calculated that it would be better for him to go to new elections than to support Osmani, a decision he still has several days to consider.

Regarding the speculations circulating in recent days about a potential candidate from the Jashari family, Gogic says they originated from Self-Determination out of a desire to ingratiate themselves with both the Jashari family and the public.

In addition to Murat Jashari, who has spoken both on his own behalf and on behalf of the family, stating that they do not see themselves in such a role, Gogic notes that potential candidates from the family could include Bekim Jashari, who once served as mayor of Srbica, or Lulzim Jashari, the son of Adem Jashari. However, he emphasizes that none of them has expressed a desire to assume the position.

“In the past, there were also ideas that someone from the Jashari family could become President of Kosovo. A candidate from that family is considered a safe option for the party proposing a presidential nominee because no one can vote against a member of the Jashari family, and they are seen as capable of symbolizing unity in Kosovo. However, members of that family have always declined. They have not wished to become involved in day-to-day politics at the central level or to enter into the political divisions that exist among Albanian parties, and they have kept their distance,” Gogic emphasizes.

As for other candidates, he notes that there is even speculation about Glauk Konjufca, while at the same time Ramush Haradinaj is also flirting with the idea of running for president.