Kurti: Haxhiu's candidacy is not withdrawn, we are ready for compromises for the government

The incumbent Prime Minister of Kosovo, at the same time leader of the Vetevendosje Movement (Vetevendosje), Albin Kurti, stated that Albulena Haxhiu's candidacy for president of the Assembly of Kosovo is a decision of the party and will not be withdrawn.

'Let's not make this game negative. We must respect each other's proposals and have a merit-based presidency [of the Assembly]," Kurti said in an interview with Radio Television of Kosovo, broadcast on Tuesday evening.

Although the proposal for speaker of parliament is the exclusive right of the winner of the elections, Vetevendosje, Haxhiu is considered a divisive figure by two parliamentary parties: the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, which demand that Vetevendosje come up with another name for speaker of parliament.

The process of constituting the Assembly of Kosovo has stalled precisely in the election of the Speaker of the Parliament.

MPs must elect the president and the five vice-presidents to finally constitute the new Assembly.

Only after the constitution of the Assembly can a new Government be formed.

Kurti said that during the process of forming the government, he will be ready for compromises and concessions.

Kurti mentioned minorities as possible partners, as well as Fatmir Limaj's Social Democratic Initiative.

To those who have doubts about whether he has enough votes to form the government, Kurti ordered: 'Test me'.

According to him, a governing coalition with the Democratic League of Kosovo, minorities and Nisma could secure up to 80 votes in the Assembly.

He confirmed that there have been meetings with Limaj and an increase in trust between them, but not a concrete agreement.

Kurti announced that one of the prerequisites of Nisma was the position of president of the Assembly – a requirement that, according to him, was not possible to fulfill, as Nisma has secured only three deputies in the Assembly.

However, Kurti expressed his readiness for co-governance with Nisma.

'Our goal is to have a new government, which is new in composition. Without a doubt, there will also be surprises and changes in the government cabinet', he said./REL