Opposition needs a public pact for non-governance with Albin Kurti

In Kosovo, the electoral campaign for the February 9th parliamentary elections, where divided opposition parties hope to defeat Prime Minister Albin Kurti and not allow the formation of a new majority.

Theoretically, Albin Kurti cannot secure a parliamentary majority of his own, as there was no such thing in past elections without the support of a part of LDK that went after Vjosa Osmani. This part of LDK has already returned to its original structures, except for some individuals who remain near Kurti.

Meanwhile, the opposition is no longer in the weakened state of 2021. The three main groupings -- LDK, PDK and Haradinaj-Limaj coalition -- have been restructured and have candidates for prime minister.

But to stop Albin Kurti's return as prime minister, the opposition needs a public honour pact before the Kosovo electorate.

The three main opposition groups must sign a public pact, where they declare they will form the government together and refuse to coalition with Albin Kurti.

This pact will not only demoralise the gray electorate that could head towards Kurti, but also boost voter confidence that the opposition will create a new majority.

True, the personal protagonism of opposition leaders to be candidate for prime minister could become an obstacle, but the solution could be an agreement where:

• The party that gets the most votes appoints the prime minister,

• The second party takes over the presidency,

• As the third party gets the top parliament,

including the proportional division of office in the government.

Such a formula is simple and just. Most importantly, parties make a clear public agreement, ensuring that none of them will co-operate with Kurt after the elections.

Kosovo's electoral system currently favours the perception that one of these opposition groups could head towards Kurti, which weakens hopes for a new opposition majority.

On the other hand, the opposition must show political courage in articulating important issues for Kosovo, such as dialogue with Serbia, relations with the US and the European Union, as well as reports with Albania and Northern Macedonia.

Albin Kurti cannot be fought by his Isolationist actions, becoming even more isolationist, or following unWestern lines presented as patriotism. The European Union's sanctions against Kosovo are sanctions against Albin Kurti. They will depart with him, or remain with him forever.

This debate should be made public in Kosovo. Otherwise, Kosovo does not have the luxury of countries with populist and anti-Western leaders, nor can it sink into groundless showdowns for tow “made zap” Serbia “ceps more remote” inside Kosovo. That approach, on the contrary, only helps Serbia by drawing Kosovo into its preferred terrain, where it can best.

Such a public pact, combined with an open power-sharing agreement, would practically close elections before February 9th. If the opposition fails to overcome personal egos, after February 9th it may be forced to resurface Albin Kurti's ambitions.