Spahiu: The president of Kosovo should be elected by the citizens, not by the parliament

Nexhmedin Spahiu believes that the way the president of Kosovo is elected represents a constant obstacle to the development of Kosovo's society and that the president should be chosen through direct voting by the citizens. He tells Kosovo Online that this would also affect the position of ethnic minorities.

Spahiu explains that only Kosovo and Albania in the Balkans elect their president in parliament.

"Electing the president of Kosovo is what will always hinder Kosovo's society, because in the Balkans, from Turkey to Romania and Slovenia, everyone elects their president through direct voting by the citizens. Only in Kosovo and Albania does the parliament decide," he said.

He adds that in Albania the president can be elected by a simple majority, while in Kosovo a two-thirds majority is required, which, in his opinion, is a major problem.

"That is why this needs to change and the president should be elected directly by the people. In two rounds, it will always be determined who will be the president," Spahiu said.

He emphasizes that direct presidential elections would have a significant impact on the position of ethnic minorities. "And that is not only in the interest of the majority, but also of the ethnic minorities in Kosovo, because if there were several presidential candidates, they would have to go to the areas where Serbs, Bosniaks, and Turks live, because every vote could be decisive for them," he explained.

In his view, candidates seeking minority votes would have to commit to fulfilling their promises.

"You can lie to them once, but you cannot lie to them the second time. So that would also influence the improvement of the lives and the position of minorities in Kosovo, which is important for every state, especially for those that are smaller and depend on neighboring and international relations, such as Kosovo," Spahiu said.

He concludes that the position of ethnic minorities should be ensured not only formally, but also in practice.

"I think this should be kept in mind, that the position of ethnic minorities should be at the highest level, not only on paper but also in reality, so that society can move forward," Spahiu added.