Stevic: If elections are held, the biggest beneficiary will be the one backed by Osmani

Journalist from North Mitrovica, Lazar Stevic, assesses that although the Self-Determination Movement has the necessary majority to form a stable government for the next four years, it has already effectively entered a new campaign, and that the current situation in Kosovo makes elections the most realistic option. In his view, the greatest beneficiary would be the political actor supported by Vjosa Osmani.

According to Stevic, Albin Kurti and Self-Determination have managed to consolidate control over all institutions in Pristina, which does not favor opposition parties.

“After securing the prime ministerial position, he has now obtained what he was aiming for—namely, for Albulena Haxhiu to receive the acting mandate as president. However, I do not believe the opposition parties will provide any support for his political maneuvers, and it is most likely that new parliamentary elections will be called,” Stevic said.

In the event of elections, he believes that Vjosa Osmani could most significantly disrupt Self-Determination’s position, and that the greatest advantage will go to whichever political option she supports.

“At present, the most realistic scenario is that she will align with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and lend them her support, thereby drawing the largest number of votes away from Self-Determination. This is particularly true among those voters who supported Self-Determination primarily because of Vjosa Osmani and who believed that the party would nominate her for another presidential term. They now feel betrayed, and their trust has been undermined. This will certainly cost Self-Determination a portion of its votes if new parliamentary elections are held,” Stevic stated.

He does not believe that Self-Determination can replicate its results from the December elections, noting that at that time several factors worked in its favor, including the return of a large number of diaspora voters, many of whom supported Kurti.

“I do not believe they will be able to repeat that result, also because they have once again failed to offer any economic improvements to their electorate. Nothing has improved. In the meantime, there have been numerous price increases. The war in Iran has pushed fuel prices from €1.15 to nearly €1.80. At present, Kurti has no economic solutions to offer his voters, so I am confident that he will not be able to achieve the same result. Additionally, there is the factor of Vjosa Osmani, who will most likely bring a certain number of votes to one of the opposition parties—votes that can only come from Self-Determination,” Stevic explained.

He remains skeptical that opposition parties would unite and form a government even if they were to achieve a better electoral result.

“If the opposition parties approach elections seriously and undertake significant internal reorganization, they could achieve a good result with the support of Vjosa Osmani—whichever party manages to capitalize on that factor. However, I do not believe that would be sufficient for them to form a coalition government. There are major and substantial differences among these parties. Only the emergence of a third external factor might compel them to cooperate and form a government, allowing Kosovo to finally enter a period of stability without elections every six months,” Stevic assessed.

He added that the public is increasingly fatigued by frequent elections.

“Everyone is watching the Assembly to see whether a new candidate will be proposed. However, we see that Self-Determination, instead of focusing on selecting a new president, has already partly entered a new campaign. Albin Kurti has begun touring again, starting from the north as in previous elections. I believe that Self-Determination has already deeply entered a new campaign and is preparing for new elections,” Stevic concluded.