Traditionally, political parties in Kosovo have re-nominated their sitting mayors for local elections. However, this time, as the local elections approach, two of the main parties, PDK and LDK, have chosen not to re-nominate several of their current mayors in municipalities they govern.

PDK has not re-nominated four current mayors: Bedri Hamza in South Mitrovica, Ramiz Lladrovci in Drenas, Fadil Nura in Skenderaj, and Besim Ilazi in Kaçanik. Meanwhile, LDK has not re-nominated the current mayor of Fushe Kosova, Burim Berisha.

These developments are being interpreted by electoral experts and political analysts from two perspectives — internal party conflicts and a tendency toward reform and presenting new political figures to the public, writes KosovaPress.

Two months before the local elections of October 12, political parties have presented their candidates for mayors.

According to political analyst Magbule Shkodra, the previous practice has been that when a mayor successfully completes their term, the party typically re-nominates them.

In the case of Drenas, where PDK did not re-nominate the current mayor Ramiz Lladrovci but instead chose Petrit Hajdari, she believes this signals significant internal division.

Lladrovci has announced that he will run as an independent candidate in Drenas after PDK denied him a second mandate.

“In the past, our political parties participating in local elections usually re-nominated successful incumbent mayors. Replacing them with a new candidate would not normally be considered. PDK’s leadership decided not to re-nominate Ramiz Lladrovci. Whether the party leadership conducted public opinion surveys in Drenas to assess support levels, we don’t know. I hope their decision is based on data and statistics. However, the fact that Lladrovci reacted and announced his independent candidacy shows there are internal divisions within PDK. If there had been no reaction, it might have been a strategic proposal by the party for leading the municipality. But this looks like a clear case of internal disagreement,” she said.

For KDI researcher Vullnet Bugaqku, in some of PDK’s cases where mayors were not re-nominated, there appears to be some form of internal conflict or disagreement.

However, he says that in the case of Burim Berisha in Fushe Kosova, LDK wanted to refresh the candidacy and bring a new dynamic, as Berisha has served more than four terms as mayor of the municipality.

Regarding Mitrovica, he notes that the current mayor, Bedri Hamza, has had no desire to run again.

“Apart from the case in Drenas, where internal disagreements between the party leadership and the mayor are clear, in other cases — including Fushe Kosova — I believe LDK foresaw a need to refresh the candidacies, as the current mayor has held that position for a long time… The same situation may apply to other municipalities where similar changes occurred… In the case of Mitrovica, where the current mayor himself has assessed that now he does not have the will and readiness to remain as mayor. In some cases, the reasoning may be democratization and reform, but in others, it’s due to disputes and the refusal of some mayors to align with central party leadership,” Bugaqku stated.

For political scientist Artan Muhaxhiri, it is logical that the current mayors in four municipalities governed by PDK are not running again.

According to him, these moves are intended to introduce new figures through reform, but also to re-confirm veteran figures with political influence — such as the candidacy of Sami Lushtaku for mayor of Skenderaj.

“These party moves are logical, that are trying to bring in new figures through a reform, which tomorrow could be positioned at the central level and challenge Vetëvendosje. It’s an effort to rebrand PDK and bring some degree of reform. However, with this approach, significant change is unlikely,” Muhaxhiri emphasized.

In place of the current mayors, PDK has nominated: Petrit Hajdari in Drenas, Sami Lushtaku in Skenderaj, Arian Tahiri in South Mitrovica, and Sabedin Vishi in Kaçanik. LDK has nominated Besnik Osmani as its candidate for mayor of Fushe Kosova.

Meanwhile, Vetëvendosje has re-nominated the current mayors in all four municipalities it has governed for the past four years — Podujeva, Gjilan, Shtime, and Kamenica.

Similarly, AAK has re-nominated all its current mayors in the municipalities where it is in power: Deçan, Gjakova, Suhareka, Rahovec, and Klina. Regular local elections in Kosovo will be held on October 12th. /E. Zeqiri/