Opposition positions warn early parliamentary elections in Kosovo

Since the end of the 1999 war, eight parliamentary elections have been held in Kosovo. Among them, only three times have elections been held fairly until at other times all have been early elections.

The lives of governments have lasted several years, but there have been cases like that of the preliminary government led by Avdullah Hoti, when her mandate has lasted only six months.

Kosovo's Constitutional Court during December 2020 declared parliament's “pro” vote by MP from the minority ranks in the Kosovo Assembly, Ethem Arifi, ousting the Avdullah Hoti Government.

The last parliamentary elections were held on February 14th of 2021, where the Vetevendosje Movement came out to win.

On the basis of the electoral calendar, the upcoming parliamentary elections would have to be held in 2025, but with the start of this year apparently things will change.

Senior officials from the opposition position have declared parliamentary elections could be held this year.

Chief Parliamentary Glauk Konjufca, but even LVV MP chief Mimoza Kusari, have unveiled their arguments as to why elections can be held this year.

It's best to go to early elections. I cannot rule out the possibility of early elections”, Konjufca has declared.

He has said that because of many developments it would be good for the new government, which would receive the legitimacy of the people, to complete some of the processes Kosovo is going through.

While LVV MP chief Mimoza Kusari Lila has said that 2024 is a year of numerous dynamics in the world and as such she sees that it can affect Kosovo as well.

She says it would not be unreasonable if regular elections were held at the end of this year.

“According to the election calendar, it is likely that by the end of the year we will organise regular elections which will comply with the electoral calendar, which would otherwise be February 2025. But, before and behind in the 60-day period, there is a possibility of discussing between political subjects with the country's president to find a common date. Therefore, it would not be innovation if Kosovo faced process chosen this year. So it would not be entirely extraordinary. ”, it declared.

But Democratic Party of Kosovo chairman Memli Krasniqi is convinced that the year 2024 will be an election year in Kosovo.

He says the world cannot expect Albin Kurti about the tactics he makes with the dialogue process.

““I am convinced that next year there will be elections. It is already seen by government statements and actions and Prime Minister Kurti, from electoral character gatherings, but also from the far correct and fair form of spending the state budget in relation to the different subsidies they have made and planned. I believe in 2024, however, we will have early elections, but I cannot say for sure whether they will be held in June, early October or later”, Krasniqi declared.

MP from the ranks of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Rzazarta Krasniqi, has declared the country will go to the polls in early 2024.

Krasniqi has stressed that Kosovo has lost mutual recognition.

“After the new year, there will immediately be a choice. The sooner the country goes to the polls, it's better because citizens are getting poorer. There are price hikes, there is no VAT removal or removal of the excise”, she stated.

Even AAK Deputy Chairman Ardian Djindini estimates that according to the current likelihood and political beliefs of citizens, our country will go to early elections this year.

I believe that, if we take into account all the circumstances that have been created in Kosovo, including the political beliefs of people and the ideas we see them, the likelihood is that in 2017 we will have early elections”, Djind has declared.

But the head of the Alliance's Parliamentary Group for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Besnik Tahiri, has declared that 2024 and legally should be the election year.

”Viti 2024 is an election year, because even for regular elections they should be announced early six months -- and later four months -- before the elections. This means that political parties will work on drafting lists and elections”, Tahiri has declared.