A meeting has begun between the Prime Minister, also leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, and the leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Lumir Abdixhiku, KosovaPress reports.

The meeting is being held at the premises of the Assembly of Kosovo. The main topic of discussion is expected to be the election of the president, as constitutional deadlines are approaching. The meeting is taking place without the presence of the media.

A day earlier, Kurti also met with the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Bedri Hamza.

According to a statement from the Government’s Media Office, the need for cooperation in electing the president was acknowledged during that meeting.

It was also stated that the need to open a new chapter of communication and constructive dialogue between the government and the opposition, in the interest of Kosovo, was discussed.

On the other hand, Bedri Hamza also spoke about his meeting with Kurti, saying that the election of the president is not a matter for just one party but for all parliamentary parties. He said that as an opposition party, they will not obstruct state processes, but they will not support candidates who do not represent civic unity and the constitutional spirit.

Parliamentary parties must elect the country’s president no later than March 4 of this year. The current President, Vjosa Osmani, completes her mandate on April 4; however, the Constitution stipulates that the president must be elected one month earlier, otherwise the country must go to early elections.

Meanwhile, Vjosa Osmani is the only one who has expressed ambition to run for another five-year term. To formalize her candidacy, she must collect 30 signatures from members of parliament. Moreover, in order for a parliamentary session to be convened for the election of the president, there must be two officially nominated candidates, each with 30 signatures from MPs.

So far, political parties have been more reserved in commenting on Osmani’s ambitions for a second term. Even Vetëvendosje, the ruling party, has not given a definitive answer on whether it supports Osmani.

The Democratic League of Kosovo has also expressed reservations about enabling Osmani to secure a second term. Meanwhile, PDK and AAK have stated that they do not have votes for Osmani.

According to the Constitution, in the first two rounds the president must be elected by a two-thirds majority, or 80 votes. In the third round, the president may be elected by a simple majority of 61 votes; however, at least 80 MPs must participate in the voting process. /KosovaPress/