The internal electoral processes in two of the main opposition parties in the country, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), have brought back into focus the debate about reform, consolidation, and leadership within political entities.
Officials of these parties warn of a new phase of reconfiguration, but political analysts demand that the internal elections in these parties be substantive and not just for show.
PDK Steering Council member Bekim Haxhiu tells KosovaPress that the internal elections include the structure from sub-branches to the election of the chairman, aiming to "refresh" and consolidate the party.
He says they are waiting for the process in The Hague to end at the end of April and for the former KLA leaders to return victorious to Kosovo. Then, according to him, the internal processes of the PDK will also be easier.
"This internal PDK electoral process is a comprehensive process that includes our entire structure from the sub-branches and then to the election of the PDK president. Of course, there is a need for a refresher to achieve the proper consolidation of PDK. I really hope that the process in The Hague will end at the end of April and our liberators will return victorious to Kosovo. Then all internal PDK processes will be even easier and in the interest of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo... Beyond that, because the mandate of the president is until the election of the new Convention," he declares.
On the other hand, in AAK, the current leader, Ramush Haradinaj, announced a few days ago that he will no longer run for president.
Ardian Gjini announced his candidacy in this party, but AAK vice president Pal Lekaj tells KosovaPress that Haradinaj will have to remain at the head of the party.
Lekaj's argument is based on the idea that AAK's voting base is closely tied to the figure of the leader and that any other alternative would not produce a deeper electoral effect.
"I do not believe that Mr. Haradinaj should not be re-elected, because any other figure, I do not think that they can make any deeper change in the electorate, because our electorate of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo is fanatical about the figure of Mr. Haradinaj and in this regard we will have a process, regardless of whether there are interested in running for leadership, it is the assembly that can elect him with their vote," Lekaj declares.
And political analyst Blerim Canaj considers the changes in the two opposition parties necessary.
Canaj places emphasis precisely on the real motive of these processes. According to him, it is essential to understand whether the internal elections aim to open up the party and provide new capacities, or whether they serve to consolidate certain groups within it.
Canaj emphasizes that the election result is the main measure of the success of a leadership. If a party, according to him, fails to clearly articulate its message and mobilize internal energy, then the issue of changing leadership becomes legitimate.
"If elections are held for the sake of groups, then it is not that it brings anything to the party, but maybe it can even harm it. But if they are serious about it, because we know that PDK has branches that were extremely strong but are now non-existent. There are cases when people have simply become passive or have completely withdrawn... If the party is interested and is serious about offering capacities, and with those capacities to also offer, to be seen as an alternative, then yes. But if it is only to please certain groups, I do not believe that it does the Democratic Party any good. And now, is there a need for leadership? Look, now it depends, the election result must always be seen. That is the main measure for a party. And if the result that was supposed to be achieved has not been achieved, if there is no elan within the party, if there is no, the party has not managed to articulate and convey the messages to the citizen, which is done through the party leader, then why no," he emphasizes.
In the December 28 elections, PDK received 20.38 percent of the votes, while AAK received 5.50 percent.
