Former Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) MP Xhavit Haliti has strong criticism toward the current leadership of the party. He is concerned about the direction PDK has taken and the lack of reflection regarding some controversial decisions, mentioning in particular the case of the local elections in Drenas.

In an interview for KosovaPress, Haliti says that the current party chairman, Memli Krasniqi, should keep in mind that “he is not Hashim Thaçi and is not such a powerful man within the structures that no one dares to question his word.” He emphasizes that there is currently dissatisfaction within PDK and advises that “those who see PDK as a business and try to fatten their wallets through the party should be greeted goodbye from the party.” However, Haliti does not mention any names as to whom he is referring to. In this regard, he says that PDK should hold internal party elections.

The member of the PDK Steering Council told KosovaPress that expectations for the performance of PDK in the local elections had been higher.

He assesses that Ramiz Lladrovci in Drenas defeated the PDK leadership, which did not nominate him again under the party’s logo for mayor of that municipality. According to Haliti, this issue should be discussed in the party’s bodies and there should be reflection.

“From the expectations and what happened, it did not turn out as PDK desired or planned to achieve. We have had different histories within PDK that had no precedent before. But this is the power that its electorate has given it... The chairman of PDK should keep in mind that he is not Hashim Thaçi. He is not such a powerful man that no one within the party dared to question his word... Ramiz has won against the PDK Presidency, meaning he has defeated the Presidency of PDK and the part of the PDK branch in Drenas that were against him, their candidate, as well as three other candidates, and he won... This should have been discussed and reflected upon so that such events are not repeated,” he declares.

Emphasizing the dissatisfaction within the party, Haliti says that “those who are used to tenders and want to keep the party close for tenders should not remain in PDK.”

He also mentions an internal agreement within PDK that the internal electoral process should take place right after the end of the local elections.

"There is dissatisfaction, and of course there is — it’s a society, a generation; some are classmates, some are business friends, some are study colleagues, some are comrades-in-arms. This is a gathering of people, and naturally, you are closer to those you shared a classroom with... I do not see the party as a business, and that is the problem. Those who see the party as a business and think that through the party they can fatten their wallets should bid farewell to the party. Whoever they are. Those who are used to tenders and want to have the party for tenders and want to stay in leadership positions in the party because of tenders should not remain... PDK has passed the deadline for new elections. We held a congress just to fulfill the legal requirement of holding a congress. We reconfirmed the chairman, and according to the agreement, right after the elections the electoral process should begin throughout the party, and then the chairman will be elected in the congress,” he declares.

Alongside this, Haliti says that PDK deputies made a mistake by voting for Dimal Basha as Speaker of the Assembly.

“It was a very big mistake because they voted firstly in contradiction with the decision of the PDK Steering Council and in contradiction with the commitments made by the party chairman in the PDK Council meeting. I don’t know where the order and idea to vote came from, because it was a mistake. I know Basha and have nothing personal against him, but his writing and engagement in denigrating the KLA and the people of the KLA before the international public opinion has been a grave act,” Haliti emphasizes.

On the other hand, Haliti also spoke for KosovaPress about the formation of the new government, as the Prime Minister-designate, Albin Kurti, has only three days left to secure the 61 votes needed for the executive.

He is skeptical that Kurti will be able to secure the votes for forming the new government, while stressing that he expects the country to hold early parliamentary elections or to form a transitional technical government.

Regarding this, Haliti is convinced that no PDK deputy will vote for the Kurti III government.

As for Kurti’s justification that the political environment in Kosovo has become toxic and filled with jealousy and resentment, Haliti declares that the main culprit for such a thing is Kurti himself.

“It is better for Kosovo to go to early or extraordinary elections. Or to form a transitional or technical government to create a new opportunity for Kosovo... I do not believe that PDK deputies will vote or even enter the hall to vote for something that is against the party’s stance... If there has been toxic language from any politician in Kosovo, none has been more toxic than that of Albin Kurti. I say this from all party leaders — Kurti has been the standard-bearer of toxic language and the poisoning of Kosovo’s political environment. At the end of the elections, you know how he referred to the opposition,” Haliti declares.

Meanwhile, speaking about the possibility of cooperation between PDK and LVV in the runoff of November 9 in the local elections, Haliti says that if there is an agreement at the central level which is then reflected locally, that would not be a problem.

However, according to him, if at the central level you are in opposition and criticize Kurti, but at the local level you cooperate in certain municipalities, that is party anarchy.

“If PDK were to enter the runoff with Albin Kurti, I think that even if it entered local power together, it would not be a problem. But to be in opposition at the central level and in power in Prishtina, Peja, Gjakova, or anywhere else, I think that is party anarchy,” Haliti