Stevic: Political crisis in Kosovo deepens, new elections are the most likely option

Journalist from North Mitrovica Lazar Stevic said that the political crisis in Kosovo is deepening and that, if an agreement between Self-Determination and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) is not reached today, there is a high likelihood that new elections will be held again.

“The stumbling block is most likely the position of president, over which they have still not been able to reach an agreement. Self-Determination and Albin Kurti believe that this position should belong to them or to a non-partisan figure. What we all know very well is that Albin Kurti wants to take complete control of all power, starting with the position of prime minister, then the Speaker of the Assembly, and even the position of president. I do not believe, although the LDK has entered negotiations with Self-Determination, that it will allow Self-Determination to take all of these positions,” Stevic told Kosovo Online.

He believes that Vjosa Osmani is trying to put forward her own name and become a presidential candidate again.

“This does not suit Self-Determination and Albin Kurti, because he knows how much of an opponent Osmani can be and how much damage she could cause him. That is why he is seeking for the proposed candidate to be a non-partisan figure, someone from ordinary society, someone trusted by the people who is not a politician. That is most likely the reason,” Stevic said.

Stevic recalled that the deadline for constituting the Assembly expires at midnight and that, if no agreement is reached today between Self-Determination and the LDK, the parliament will most likely not be constituted, meaning that new elections will probably be held.

“Although according to some laws, if Self-Determination does not nominate a candidate, the parties that won second, third and fourth place would do so, I do not believe that will happen. Opposition parties that did not even want to talk with Kurti are already announcing new elections and preparing, as they themselves say, for elections that will resolve all the pressing issues. However, what we can see is that Kosovo is truly in a deep political crisis that has lasted for almost two years, and there is no end in sight,” Stevic stated.

He is certain that Kurti will not accept the LDK’s “blackmail” because he wants to consolidate power and take everything into his own hands.

“What their analysts and politicians are calling for is respect for the Constitutional Court’s decision from last year, and even for the issue to be brought before the Constitutional Court again, so that it can be the body that decides what happens next. I do not believe that the other opposition parties that achieved weaker results will be able to reach an agreement on some kind of coalition. At this moment, the most realistic option, if there is no agreement between Self-Determination and the LDK today, is new elections. As for whether the citizens of Kosovo will be happy about that, I do not believe they will be very happy, because in the last 18 months this would be the sixth electoral cycle. Quite simply, people are fed up with both elections and empty promises. Kosovo needs institutions as soon as possible, but judging by everything, this political crisis continues to deepen and is still ongoing,” Stevic concluded.