Political leaders in Albania have praised Kosovo’s elections and congratulated winner Vetevendosje (LVV) on its Sunday victory.
President Ilir Meta hailed Kosovo people and politicians for high standards in elections, trust in democracy and freedom of vote.
Unlike Kosovo, Albania has been struggling for thirty years with irregularities in elections. In 2019, the opposition boycotted the local elections and the majority went ahead to hold them, winning in all municipalities across the country. The newly formed Constitutional Court is expected to review the constitutionality of this election.
Prime Minister Edi Rama congratulates all political parties in Kosovo, “particularly the clear election winners”, Vetevendosje.
“Greetings to all political forces in Kosovo, and especially to the clear winners of the elections, LVV, with the wish that the will of the people of Kosovo be embodied in a new chapter for Kosovo, with a stable government, constructive inter-party dialogue, economic and social development,” Rama stated.
Rama and Kurti were at odds during the short-lived Kurti government last year. Albania’s leader vouched for the strengthening of regional relations, and teamed up with Serbia’s Aleksandar Vucic to create a common economic area in the region. Kurti, on the other hand, demanded from Rama to focus on strengthening bilateral relations between Kosovo and Albania, and push for Serbia to face crimes committed in Kosovo.
Albania’s Prime Minister slammed Acting President Vjosa Osmani over similar matters during her visit in Albania. Osmani ran with Vetevendosje in Sunday elections.
Opposition leader Lulzim Basha’s congratulation was warmer and less formal. He hailed the electoral process as a great democracy lesson for the region.
“Congratulations to VV, Albin Kurti and Vjosa Osmani for winning the elections. Kosovo has great challenges ahead. I am convinced that the winning party and other parties will be able to address and resolve them for the benefit of the citizens of Kosovo.
I will be happy to work closely with the new government of Kosovo, both in terms of Euro-Atlantic integration processes and the continuation of international recognition, as well as for the economic development of our two countries,” Basha stated.
Basha, who has been for nearly eight years in opposition, is rallying to win the April 25 elections in Albania. He led the opposition out of parliament in 2019, accusing Prime Minister Rama of vote rigging, corruption and links to organized crime. The opposition subsequently boycotted the local elections in the same year, on the same grounds.
Vetevendosje has opened a center in Albania but it has not registered yet as a political party. Its activists are collecting signatures for three candidates to run independently in April elections.
Read more: Rama Slams Kosovo’s Osmani over Statements during Her Visit in Albania
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