Skopje, 11 April 2025 (MIA) - The VLEN coalition is holding a meeting in Skopje Friday evening to address the internal situation within the coalition and the upcoming local elections. The meeting is attended by the leaders of the Alliance for Albanians, Arben Taravari; the Democratic Movement, Izet Mexhiti; Besa Movement, Bilal Kasami; and Alternativa, Zeqirija Ibrahimi.

Prior to the meeting, Taravari told the media in a brief statement that there would be no divisions within the coalition. Asked what he expects from tonight’s meeting, he replied that he has no expectations, since “it’s just a regular meeting of the parties.”

The leader of the Democratic Movement and Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Izet Mexhiti, stated that the coalition will run with joint candidate lists in the upcoming local elections. As for whether Taravari will remain in VLEN or leave the coalition, Mexhiti said: “You’ll have to ask Taravari about that.”

Bilal Kasami, leader of Besa Movement, gave no comment before the meeting, while Alternativa president Zeqirija Ibrahimi said the gathering was a coordination meeting of the VLEN coalition parties.

Kasami and Taravari announced today’s meeting in statements to the media.

Kasami stated that the VLEN coalition meeting will determine how the coalition will approach the upcoming local elections. He expressed confidence that VLEN will run together in the elections.

“The VLEN coalition continues its regular communication, and today we’re holding the next meeting to continue discussions on the local elections. The public already knows there are a few options on the table, but I hope this will be the final meeting in which we settle these dilemmas regarding our approach to the elections,” Kasami said.

He expressed confidence that VLEN will also run jointly in the local elections.

“What we demonstrated in the parliamentary elections, we will demonstrate again in the local elections. We believe we will succeed in winning municipalities and leading them successfully, just as we are convinced we are leading policy well within the government coalition, and likewise in the municipalities currently governed by the coalition,” Kasami said.

Following his working visit to the “Ferid Murad” General Hospital in Gostivar, Arben Taravari, responding to a journalist’s question, emphasized that the leaders of Besa Movement, Bilal Kasami; of Alternativa, Zeqirija Ibrahimi; of Democratic Movement, Izet Mexhiti; and he himself as the head of part of the Alliance for Albanians, are in continuous communication regarding future political steps. He expressed hope that the best possible solution will be found, one that serves everyone’s interests.

“Talks are ongoing within VLEN. This evening, all four party leaders will meet again. We are in regular contact, and I hope the working groups will keep working to find the best solution, one that won’t demotivate or frustrate the parties in VLEN,” he noted.

A few days ago, Izet Mexhiti, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Environment Minister, and head of the Democratic Movement, urged Taravari to decide whether he will stay with the VLEN coalition or negotiate with DUI for the upcoming local elections.

During Tuesday’s press conference, Mexhiti pointed out that Taravari knew about the idea of merging the political parties in their coalition into a single party.

Mexhiti mentioned that the idea of merging had been on the table since the coalition’s formation, but they had waited for the right moment to harmonize the political structures, ideas, and programs before moving forward with the creation of a single political entity.

Photo/video: MIA