Hamza Links Kosovo President Vote to Hague Law

The Kosovo Assembly convenes today, September 28, at 11 a.m., with a declaration on the Specialist Chambers verdict among the five items on the agenda. Ahead of the session, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza publicly linked talks on Kosovo’s presidential election to passage of amendments to the Specialist Chambers law for the first time, a day after meeting with Prime Minister Albin Kurti. Eight days remain until the constitutional deadline for electing a president, which expires on October 6.

Today’s plenary session has five items on the agenda: approval of the minutes, the swearing in of lawmakers, a declaration on the September 16 Specialist Chambers verdict, the election of a deputy speaker of the Assembly from PDK’s ranks, and the formation of parliamentary committees.

What the Court Ruled on September 16

On September 16, the Specialist Chambers convicted Hashim Thaçi and Jakup Krasniqi at first instance, sentencing each to 25 years in prison, Kadri Veseli to 18 years and Rexhep Selimi to 13 years, a combined 81 years, for war crimes. All four were acquitted of crimes against humanity. A declaration adopted by PDK on September 25 calls on parliament to pass amendments to the Specialist Chambers law, for state institutions to provide unlimited financial support to the convicted men’s defense, and for cases unrelated to the Dick Marty report to be transferred to Kosovo’s own judiciary. On September 21, PDK also submitted its own draft amendments to the law on the Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutor’s Office, which the Assembly Presidency forwarded to the government for an opinion.

Ahead of the session, Hamza said passing that draft was his party’s top priority.

We are working on it, it is a necessity for PDK, but also for Kosovo. For the history and future of Kosovo, passing this draft law is the top priority.

Hamza told lawmakers, adding that PDK is not seeking to halt justice but is opposing what the party considers an injustice toward the convicted men.

Meeting With Kurti, No Names for President

Hamza met with Prime Minister Kurti on Sunday evening, September 27, at the government building. He confirmed they discussed the draft law and the question of the president, but not specific candidate names.

“We did not discuss names, but if the law is passed, we are open to talks,” Hamza said before the plenary session.

On Monday morning, two hours before the session began, Kurti was at the Assembly building together with Finance Minister Hekuran Murati, who had previously taken part in talks between Kurti’s Vetevendosje (Self-Determination Movement) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) on electing a president. Kurti declined to comment on what was discussed in his meeting with Hamza.

A Deadline That Allows No Delay

Kosovo’s Constitutional Court recently ruled that the government was elected in line with the Constitution and that the 60 day deadline for electing a new president, which began on August 8, expires on October 6. If no president is elected by that date, the Assembly is dissolved and Kosovo heads to its fourth election since February 2025, with November 8 or November 15 as possible dates.

Acting president is Assembly Speaker Albulena Haxhiu, who, according to Radio Free Europe, has held the role since April 4. She was elected speaker of the current Assembly on September 9, and four days later, on September 13, as the already elected speaker she declared the 11th legislature of the Assembly constituted. Under the Constitution, Haxhiu may serve as acting president for no more than six months.

At the same September 13 session, Albin Kurti’s new government was also elected, with 62 votes in favor and eight against, while lawmakers from PDK, LDK and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) did not take part in the vote.

Eugen Cakoli of the Kosovo Democratic Institute warned, in a statement to Radio Free Europe, that there is a risk an agreement on the president could fail to materialize once again.

The most important thing remains the election of the president, since we are only two weeks away from the deadline, and given all the political dynamics at play, I assess there is a risk that an agreement will again prove impossible, which would push Kosovo toward a new election cycle, its fourth in less than two years.

Cakoli said.

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo said Kosovo is heading toward new elections and blamed Prime Minister Kurti for it.

Protest Called for October 1

PDK accompanied its September 25 declaration with harsh words about the verdict itself. Hamza said at the time that an injustice had been done to the four former KLA leaders.

A great injustice has been done to Hashim Thaçi, Kadri Veseli, Jakup Krasniqi, Rexhep Selimi and their comrades in arms. The verdict against them is unjust, unacceptable and politically motivated. Our first responsibility is not to leave them alone.

He also called for the institutions to act together.

“Now we need to act as a state too. The Assembly should do its part. The government should do its part. And PDK will do its part. Let’s raise our voice together against this injustice on October 1,” Hamza said, announcing a PDK public rally against the verdict for Thursday, October 1.

With the constitutional deadline expiring on October 6, the Kosovo Assembly is entering a week in which, according to Hamza, the Specialist Chambers law will be decided first, and only afterward, if that condition is met, the name of Kosovo’s new president.