Spahiu: Political crisis in Kosovo will not be resolved before September 16

Political analyst Nedzmedin Spahiu assessed that a new President of Kosovo would not be elected before the decision of the Specialist Chambers in The Hague, expected on September 16, saying that the outcome of the proceedings would have a significant impact on further political developments.

Spahiu believes that Bekim Sejdiu is “still in the running,” given that, as he put it, he was selected as a compromise candidate as part of “some strange negotiations” between Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku.

He added that Sejdiu was more loyal to the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Hashim Thaci.

“He was appointed to the Constitutional Court when Hashim Thaci held absolute power. No one could have been there unless they were strictly under his control and loyal to him. Thaci paid more attention to whom he appointed to independent institutions than to the government because he could dismiss a minister immediately, whereas he could not do that with officials in independent institutions. That is why he was very careful about whom he appointed there,” Spahiu said.

He added that PDK members were very pleased with the choice of Bekim Sejdiu.

“Although they have said that they will not take part in the vote, a few of their votes could still slip through, providing enough votes to elect the president. I think that Albin Kurti and Lumir Abdixhiku will be disappointed if he is elected, but they will be getting what they deserve,” he said.

Spahiu is convinced that the political situation will not be resolved until the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague issue their decision on September 16 in the case against the former KLA leaders and former senior PDK officials.

“If they are convicted, that will provide Albin Kurti with an opportunity to consolidate his hold on power. If they are acquitted, I think they will manage to wrest power from Albin Kurti. I am convinced that more than half of Albin Kurti’s MPs will switch to their side, and that is how the situation, which has been deadlocked for two years, will be resolved,” Spahiu said.

Regarding the election of a new President of Kosovo and the expiration of Acting President Albulena Haxhiu’s mandate, Spahiu stressed that it would be logical for the President of the Constitutional Court to assume the presidency afterward.

“That is not clearly defined by either the Constitution or the laws. In any event, if the institutions have not been formed by then, Kosovo will further deepen its crisis—not only the political crisis, but even the constitutional one,” Spahiu concluded.