As the constitutional deadline for electing the president approaches, political parties are expected to sit down at the dialogue table once again. The Vetëvendosje Movement believes that meetings between political entities are necessary to reach an agreement on a consensual candidate and prevent the country from heading to new elections.
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LVV MP Adnan Rrustemi told Ekonomia Online that his party could hold more meetings in the coming days, but that political will is required from all parties.
Rrustemi recalled that an agreement had previously been reached with the LDK on a joint candidate for the post of president, but that it was not implemented following opposition from six MPs from that party.
“We have continuously called for meetings and cooperation. The PDK and the Alliance have rejected us and have not taken part in any meeting. With the LDK, despite the difficulties, we had reached an agreement on a consensual name, which was obstructed and made impossible by six LDK MPs. Nevertheless, there will be invitations to meetings, as they are necessary. We must intensify them because the time available is very short. These days must be used to elect the president, and then to address the other issues and obligations of the state toward its citizens and Kosovo’s interests,” Rrustemi said.
Asked whether VV would put forward a consensual, non-party candidate, the MP said this had always been the Vetëvendosje Movement’s approach.
“As the Vetëvendosje Movement, we have always supported a consensual name. I believe this is the right solution and that such a candidate is essential. However, the PDK and the Alliance are refusing to cooperate. This time as well, we will maintain our constructive approach to finding a consensual name. Then everyone must fulfill their role: the opposition must act as the opposition, while we, as the majority, must fulfill the responsibilities that fall to us,” he declared.
According to Rrustemi, failure to elect the president and a return to elections would have harmful consequences for Kosovo, including issues related to the Special Court in The Hague.
“On issues of importance to Kosovo, we must be united, including on the Special Court. How can the various requests and initiatives be taken seriously if we do not elect the President of the Republic and go to elections within 12 days? We would then have a 45-day campaign, during which we would attack and accuse one another. This helps neither the people who are at The Hague Court, nor Kosovo, nor the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. In this way, we only damage the budget and Kosovo’s interests, and lose valuable time needed to confront the challenges ahead,” the VV MP said.
He said that the full ruling of the Constitutional Court had not yet been published and that no specific candidate had been discussed so far. Rrustemi said that, following the meeting of the Assembly Presidency, he expected efforts to find a solution to intensify.
“The full ruling has not yet been published. We have not held meetings or discussions about any name. We have had a meeting of the Assembly Presidency, and I hope that activities and efforts to find a solution will now intensify. We have not discussed or met regarding a specific candidate, but I want to emphasize the importance of political will. If the parties are determined to find a solution, then it can be achieved,” Rrustemi said.
However, he warned that the process would become more difficult if the opposition parties maintained their position on prolonging the political situation and holding new elections.
“If the opposition political parties continue to maintain the same position they held before September 16, calling for the country to go to consecutive elections in the hope of limiting Vetëvendosje’s governing, then finding a solution will be very difficult,” he added.
The Constitutional Court has determined that the election of Kosovo’s new president must be completed no later than October 6.
In its ruling on the Democratic Party of Kosovo’s request concerning the constitution of the Assembly and the formation of the government, the Constitutional Court assessed that the 60-day deadline for electing the president began to run on August 8.
According to the court, the expiry of the 30-day deadline for constituting the Assembly triggered the constitutional deadlines for electing the president.
