TIRANA, August 18 – Acting President of Kosova Albulena Haxhiu has opened consultations with political party leaders on the election of the country’s president. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, and Alternative party leader Mimoza Kusari-Lila are attending. Representatives of non-majority community parties are also taking part.

However, the leaders of the 3 main opposition parties have declined the invitation. The Democratic Party of Kosova, the Democratic League of Kosova and the Alliance for the Future of Kosova are not represented at the meeting. The consultations form part of the political process for electing Kosova’s next president. Their absence comes as the parties discuss the formation of the country’s institutions.

Earlier, on August 17, Alliance for the Future of Kosova parliamentary group leader Besnik Tahiri called on the Self-Determination Movement to convene parliament’s constituent session. He said this would open the way for the formation of institutions and the subsequent election of the president. Tahiri said his party’s votes for the presidential election were “on the table”. He also called for the process to move forward as quickly as possible. In addition, he accused the Self-Determination Movement of deliberately delaying the formation of institutions. According to Tahiri, the move aims to pave the way for new elections at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Democratic League of Kosova lawmaker Avdullah Hoti said his party was ready to help resolve the deadlock. He also backed efforts to find a presidential candidate acceptable to all political forces. Hoti said the Democratic League of Kosova had dropped its demand for institutional balance. He said this would enable the institutions to become functional. According to Hoti, parliament should first be constituted and a government formed. Only afterwards, he said, should parties discuss the presidential election.

/a.p./