The agreement between the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo for the election of Bekim Sejdiu as president has encountered its first open opposition within the LDK.
Former Prime Minister and LDK MP, Avdullah Hoti, declared that he does not support Sejdiu's candidacy, describing it as a solution that does not meet the criteria of a unifying figure and that does not represent the political and principled interests of his party.
"I do not support this candidacy for President of the Republic of Kosovo, not for personal reasons, but for a political and institutional principle," Hoti declared.
According to him, the president must build consensus beyond party interests and represent the general interest of citizens. Hoti claims that the manner in which the agreement was reached creates the impression that the LDK has blocked other political candidacies only to pave the way for a candidacy that, according to him, is also political.
"LDK must have a clear, independent and responsible stance. We cannot support a candidacy just for the sake of a political agreement, if it does not represent the principles, interests and expectations of the LDK electorate," Hoti stressed.
The reaction is the first serious blow to the agreement reached between Albin Kurti and Lumir Abdixhiku. The two parties have agreed to support Bekim Sejdiu, a law professor, former constitutional judge and former diplomat, as a joint candidate for president. The LVV has 58 MPs and the LDK 18, reaching a combined 76 votes. They also need the votes of at least four MPs from non-majority communities to secure the 80 votes needed in the first two rounds. The agreement was also reported by Reuters.
His wording, especially the accusation that “other political candidacies” were obstructed, suggests that there were other names within the LDK and that the Kurti-Abdixhiku agreement was not accepted by all party factions. So far, however, there is no public evidence of how many other MPs are willing to vote against or not participate in the vote.
The vote for the president is secret, which means that party leaders cannot fully guarantee that each MP will respect the agreement. This is what makes Hoti's reaction more important than a simple political objection. LDK and VV do not have the votes for president.
