Acting President Albulena Haxhiu has stressed that the country should not go to extraordinary elections, calling for intensified efforts among political parties to reach an agreement on the election of the president, reports KosovaPress.

She said she had been ready to give up the position of Speaker of the Assembly by consensus, just to reach a solution for the presidency.

“I think it is not good for the country to go to extraordinary elections. I have explained several times that we have a lot of work ahead of us, many reforms that need to be pushed forward, an ambitious legislative agenda of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo that includes around 170 draft laws, each more important than the other, as well as many other aspects, not only internal ones but also external. In this regard, I have publicly called on all parliamentary groups to make maximum efforts so that the country does not go to extraordinary elections, but that space is given to meetings and to an agreement on the issue of electing the president of the country. It has been very important to demonstrate will, readiness, seriousness, and maximum commitment to overcome this challenge we have in front of us,” Haxhiu said.

Haxhiu emphasized that it is necessary for parliamentary parties to continue meetings and show willingness for compromise, criticizing the recent positions of opposition parties.

“I saw with concern the statements of opposition parties saying that this issue is already closed. How can it be closed while we still have a deadline until, practically, April 27? Therefore, I think that with this approach there is no commitment being shown, no willingness to give the country a president with a five-year mandate, and to me it looks like déjà vu. If we compare the current situation with what happened last year, it looks the same. But I think there must be reflection, because citizens have given their message on December 28. Through their vote, they have shown whom they hold responsible for the blockade and lack of will, and so on. Therefore, given that we still have a few days ahead of us, about five to six days, I think it is very important that meetings resume, that willingness increases, that commitment is demonstrated, because there can be no agreement without meetings and there can be no agreement if there is no will from the parties,” Haxhiu said.

She warned that the current situation resembles last year, when institutions faced prolonged blockades, while stressing that citizens have already delivered their message through elections.

In an effort to avoid elections, Haxhiu said she had been ready to step down from her position as Speaker of the Assembly.

“I have also offered the position of Speaker of the Assembly, because what do I need the position of Speaker of the Assembly for if someone demands it and if it prevents extraordinary elections. But I think the lack and rejection of all proposals and offers that Prime Minister Kurti has made towards opposition parties, the PDK and the LDK, does not help the country. We are not afraid of elections, but I think it is not about who is braver or more courageous, but whether elections are in the interest of citizens. We believe, I personally believe, that they are not in the interest of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. Whether I will be on the list of parliamentary candidates will be decided by the leadership of Vetëvendosje, but legally it is not prohibited,” she said.

Speaking about the possibility of new elections, Haxhiu said she is not afraid of the electoral process, but emphasized that elections are not in the interest of citizens at this moment.

Regarding negotiations for the position of Speaker of the Assembly, Haxhiu said she is coordinated with her party leadership and that any move that helps avoid elections is welcome.

In conclusion, she reiterated that the solution must come through dialogue and meetings between parties, underlining that the lack of political will remains the main obstacle to overcoming the current institutional crisis in Kosovo.