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Kurti, Rama and the elections in North Macedonia

2023-08-08 16:57:58, Kosova & Bota CNA

Albanian political parties can factor the vote of the Albanian electorate only if they manage to be grouped by competing as two blocs, experts in political affairs emphasize.

These comments were preceded by intensified meetings between the leaders of the opposition Albanian parties, Lévizja Besa, Alternativa and Lévizja Demokratike, which recently broke away from the ruling Democratic Union for Integration, which is currently represented in Parliament by three MPs.

Experts in political affairs say that the unification of Albanian parties in a cause can be achieved through a powerful regional figure among Albanians.
From this perspective, they also see the announced informal visit of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, to Skopje, on August 11.

From the Cabinet of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Radio Free Europe has pointed out that Kurti is invited by the mayor of the Municipality of Çairi in Skopje, Visar Ganiu, to promote a road with a new name, that of Adem Demaçi, and in Tetovo by invitation. of the mayor of this municipality, Bilall Kasami, to discuss the road axis Tetovo - Prizren.

"Prime Minister Kurti's visit to North Macedonia will take place at the invitation of the mayor of Çairi Municipality, Visar Ganiu, and the mayor of Tetovo Municipality, Bilall Kasami, on the occasion of the renaming of a street in Skopje with the name of the event Adem Demaçi and the inauguration of an important road segment of the Prizren-Tetovo connection", Pëparim Kryeziu told Radio Free Europe, without specifically answering why this time he is not meeting with the leader of DUI, who is part of the government.

"Within the Prespa Forum, in Struga, Prime Minister Kurti held meetings with Albanian officials of North Macedonia, including the head of the DUI, Ali Ahmeti. Meanwhile, the communication between government cabinets is regular", said Kryeziu.

The municipality of Çair in Skopje and Tetova are run by the Albanian opposition in North Macedonia. Visar Ganiu has already lined up in the faction left by DUI, the Democratic Movement, this new party which is being formed. Meanwhile, Tetova is led by Bilall Kasami, chairman of the Besa Movement.

Izet Mejhiti, who initiated the formation of the new party, the Democratic Movement, says for Radio Free Europe that the informal visit of the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, on Friday ( on August 11).

Mejhiti emphasizes that political topics such as the Berlin Process will also be discussed with Prime Minister Kurti.

"There will also be talks about political topics where there will be a division between those who are with the Open Balkans and those, namely we, as well as Mr. Kurti, are for the Berlin Process. Normally, we will also discuss topics to deepen the cooperation between the Albanian opposition front in (North) Macedonia and the Self-Self-determination Movement in Kosovo", says Mejhiti.

The Open Balkan initiative has also been criticized several times by Bilall Kasami.

For those familiar with political developments, Kurti's arrival in Skopje is seen as a push for the Albanian position by Prime Minister Kurti to cooperate as a common front, but at the same time a demonstration of rivalry with the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama, who was one of the promoters of the Open Balkans initiative.

"Mr. Rama and Mr. Kurti, their rivalry for political influence or dominance in the Albanian linguistic space extends to North Macedonia as well," says Xelal Neziri, an expert on political issues, recalling that "it was Rama who invited the leaders of the parties to the meeting the main Albanian party in North Macedonia, before the Alliance for Albanians was convinced to participate in the government"

. and Kurti) it is a fact that it is also visible in North Macedonia.
But, the positive in all this rivalry is that maybe finally in the next elections we will have a competition between two blocs or coalitions of Albanian political parties, one in power and the other opposition, and surely we will have more substantive offers. ", Neziri evaluates for Radio Free Europe.

North Macedonia is facing an important process related to the amendment of the Constitution, namely the inclusion of Bulgarians in the preamble. Otherwise, there is a risk that the country's integration process will be blocked.

The Macedonian opposition says that the lack of votes to advance the constitutional changes shows that the government does not have the legitimacy.

Even the Albanian opposition also demands early elections, since as they point out North Macedonia and the European future remains 'hostage of certain power structures that are caught by corruption'./ REL