Vjosa Osmani is being widely seen as trying to remain president for another term. A week ago, she modestly said that it is in the interest of the citizens that she continue as president, as with her the strengthening of alliances would continue, which are also important for internal security. Osmani also emphasized that the citizens need a presidency that has open doors and whose voice is constantly heard. This statement, according to journalist Michael Martens, falls on her: "If you don't re-elect me as president, you will have problems with the USA."
Express newspaper
The future MPs who will be sworn in to the Kosovo Assembly, once the legislature begins, have the task of electing the new president of Kosovo by March 4. Before this date arrives, President Vjosa Osmani, who intends to remain in this position, has begun efforts to convince them that Kosovo needs her at its helm.
Osmani represented Kosovo during the ceremony for Kosovo's membership in the Peace Board, a Trump initiative that was rejected by most EU member states. During the signing of the Charter, Osmani, like the other participating leaders, shook hands with Trump and spoke with him for a few moments.
Her reports with the American leader have caught the attention of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung journalist Michael Martens, who covers the region.
Osmani spoke about why MPs should vote for her three weeks ago. There, she put aside modesty and argued that her "extraordinary work" must continue to maintain alliances.
“Why are you asking for another mandate?” she was asked. In her response, Osmani said that it is also important for Kosovo's security that she be at the head of state.
"Because it is in the interest of the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo and it is in the interest of the Republic of Kosovo to have continuity of extraordinary work, continuity of strengthening of alliances which are necessary for the success of the Republic of Kosovo not only in the external prism, but also in internal security because Kosovo deserves that these good works continue."
Among other things, Osmani says: "We need a Presidency that constantly has its door open, whose voice is constantly heard."
In fact, she refused to comment on any other scenario where she sees MPs not supporting her, until she was asked hypothetically if the opposition parties leave the chamber and if the country goes to new elections, would she be included on a list with the Vetëvendosje Movement.
"It is not a scenario that I am considering at the moment, because I am convinced that all Kosovo MPs, regardless of which party they belong to, will put the interest of the Republic of Kosovo first and regardless of what is said in front of the cameras, in the continuous meetings that I have had with people from Vetëvendosje and with those from other parties that are considered opposition, there has been an extremely high assessment of the work, especially regarding competences in foreign policy and we have cooperated with everyone and I am convinced that everyone appreciates this work and will appreciate it when the day comes," Osmani had said.
However, if it fails, Osmani said he will research ways to keep himself engaged.
"If I am not elected president, I will find ways to contribute to my people. There are many ways."
Weeks later, Osmani organized under the presidency's banner the premiere of the US First Lady's documentary "Melania" in a cinema in the capital, for which he gave a series of praises. But for this he was criticized separately by the German FAZ journalist, Michael Martens, as constituting a kind of indirect threat to Kosovo's MPs.
"Osmani presents herself to the public as Trump's favorite, indirectly threatening members of parliament, who elect the president, with her (alleged) good contacts with the Trump clan, using them as a weapon."
According to Martens, the threat is: "If you don't re-elect me as president, you will have problems with the US."
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