As the runoff election for mayoral positions approaches on November 9, the race for Fushë-Kosovë is becoming more interesting. The Vetëvendosje Movement in Fushë-Kosovë is now seeking a coalition with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), while PDK representatives say they are holding talks both with Vetëvendosje and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).

The Vetëvendosje candidate for mayor of Fushë-Kosovë, Valon Prebreza, has expressed openness to cooperate with any opposition party in the municipality, with the goal, as he said, of bringing change.

Prebreza told KosovaPress that on October 12, the citizens of Fushë-Kosovë voted for a change in the municipal government.

“The citizens’ vote in Fushë-Kosovë was for change, because 45 percent of voters believed that the opposition parties should govern the municipality, meaning that as a candidate I have received 45–46 percent, pending the certification of the results. This vote is a punishment for the current administration. I have said before and I say again that I am open to cooperate with all those who have been against this government, because I believe the citizens have trusted us to bring about major change in Fushë-Kosovë,” he stated.

Valon Prebreza, who received the highest number of votes among the candidates in the October 12 local elections, said that today or possibly tomorrow they will have an official meeting with PDK, after which they will assess the possibilities for cooperation.

He believes that even if no coalition is reached with PDK, the votes of that party in Fushë-Kosovë will go to the Vetëvendosje Movement.

“I am not inviting them for technical matters or to negotiate details, but for matters of principle, because change must happen in Fushë-Kosovë. Technical issues can be agreed upon later if we align on principles. I am waiting and I believe that today or tomorrow an official meeting between us will take place, and I will see how PDK decides. But one thing is clear to me — the citizens’ vote is for change. Regardless of the outcome of the discussions with political representatives, I believe that the citizens’ vote — the PDK vote — will be a vote for change. Based on that, I am ready to extend my hand for cooperation and move forward together,” Prebreza emphasized.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) candidate for mayor of Fushë-Kosovë, Rrahim Tërnava, says that discussions about possible coalitions are currently being held with both parties participating in the runoff — Vetëvendosje and LDK.

He stated that there are currently no agreements or concrete discussions, and that a working group established within PDK’s local branch in Fushë-Kosovë is handling these matters.

“There is no agreement and no concrete discussions... We have had talks with both VV and LDK. Of course, we are here and we are not a party that refuses to talk to others. I have no conditions. We have formed a working group within the branch that is dealing with technical issues and is talking with both sides. I’m less involved personally; we have assigned several advisors to handle discussions with both parties — they will also decide on the conditions,” he said.

According to preliminary results from the Central Election Commission, the municipality of Fushë-Kosovë is heading to a runoff. The parties facing off on November 9 will be Vetëvendosje, which received 45.20% of the vote in the October 12 local elections, and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which has continuously governed the municipality and came in second with 36.60% of the vote. So far, Vetëvendosje has formed a coalition with the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) candidate for mayor of Fushë-Kosovë, Vildane Latifi, while today LDK has formalized a coalition with the Social Democratic Initiative (Nisma).

Additionally, on Monday, LDK reached an agreement with Vetëvendosje to support candidate Xhafer Tahiri for mayor. In Vushtrri, the runoff on November 9 will be held between Ferit Idrizi of PDK and Tahiri of LDK.