Ali Berisha

Ali Berisha (born 9 September 1962) is a medical doctor and politician in Kosovo. He was the mayor of Peja from 2007 to 2013 and served two terms in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo between 2016 and 2021. Berisha is a member of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).

Medical career

Berisha is an internal medical specialist and a graduate of the University of Pristina's Faculty of Medicine. ^[1] He was active with the Kosovo Liberation Army's medical division in the Kosovo War (1998–99), operating as head of medical services for the Dukagjin (Metohija) region. From 2001 to 2007, he was director of the hospital in Peja. ^[2]

Politician

Early years after the Kosovo War (2000–07)

Berisha appeared in the eleventh position on the AAK's electoral list for Peja in the 2000 Kosovan local elections. ^[3] Local assembly elections in Kosovo are held under open list proportional representation; he finished third among the party's candidates and was elected when the list won eight seats. ^[4] The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won a majority victory, and the AAK served in opposition.

Berisha was promoted to the second position on the AAK's list in the 2002 local elections and was presumably re-elected when the list won twelve seats. The LDK once again won the election. ^{[5] [6]}

In February 2004, Berisha and Kosovo minister of environment and town planning Ethem Çeku were injured in a car explosion. A media report of the incident described Berisha as the AAK's leader in Peja. ^[7]

Berisha was given the twenty-second position on the AAK's list in the 2004 Kosovan parliamentary election, which was held under closed list proportional representation, and was not elected when the party won nine seats. ^{[8] [9]}

Mayor of Peja (2007–13)

Kosovo introduced the direct election of mayors in the 2007 local elections, and Berisha was elected as mayor of Peja in the second round of voting, defeating Gazmend Muhaxheri of the Reformist Party ORA. One of his first acts as mayor was to inaugurate TV Diaspora, a branch of Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK) in Peja, in January 2008. ^[10]

Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia as the Republic of Kosovo in February 2008. Serbia does not recognize the declaration and considers Kosovo as a constituent province. In May 2008, the Serbian government organized parallel local elections in Kosovo. Berisha indicated that he could not prevent the Serbian vote from taking place in Peja as his authority did not extend to the municipality's Serb localities, particularly the village of Goraždevac. ^[11] Following the vote, he was quoted as saying, "I do not believe that the governmental levels of Kosova or UNMIK will allow [the creation of parallel municipal assemblies in the Serb communities], but even if they will be allowed by them, the establishment of a municipality within our municipality is unacceptable. Therefore, the Peja Municipality will use all legal forms and all municipal competencies not to allow the establishment of parallel structures in its territory." ^[12]

In October 2009, Berisha complained that two signs reading "Welcome to Montenegro" and "Goodbye" had been put up by Montenegrin state authorities inside the territory of Kosovo. ^[13]

Berisha was re-elected as mayor of Peja in the 2009 local elections. In February 2010, he made an arrangement with European Union Special Representative Pieter Feith for Serb representation in the local government, appointing a representative from Goraždevac as second deputy mayor. ^[14] In June 2010, Berisha was quoted prominently in a Financial Times article on Peja's challenging recovery after the Kosovo War. ^[15]

After the 2010 Kosovan parliamentary election, Berisha took part in an AAK delegation to The Hague for a meeting with party leader Ramush Haradinaj, who was then facing a retrial before the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The delegation afterward reported that the AAK would not join a coalition government led by Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Hashim Thaçi. ^[16] Thaçi ultimately became the leader of a new ministry, and the AAK served in opposition.

In the 2013 local elections, Berisha complained that little financial support had been forthcoming from Kosovo's PDK-led government in the previous term. "Excluding some investments in schools and some suburban roads that were done for a handful of votes, there were no other capital investments, which are the government's obligation and which would have developed the municipality," he said. ^[17] In a rematch from 2007, Berisha was defeated in the second round by Gazmend Muhaxheri, who had by this time joined the LDK.

First term in parliament (2016–17)

All parliamentary elections in Kosovo since 2007 have been held under open list proportional representation. Berisha appeared in the sixteenth position on the AAK's list in the 2014 parliamentary election and finished tenth among the party's candidates. ^[18] The AAK won eleven seats. Berisha was not immediately elected due to a requirement for one-third female representation.

In early 2016, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj resigned from the assembly. As the next candidate in sequence on the party's list, Berisha was given a mandate as his replacement on 10 March. ^[19] The AAK served in opposition during this time. Berisha was a member of the committee for health, labour, and social welfare, and the committee for the rights and interests of communities and return. ^[20] He was an prominent opponent of a border demarcation agreement with Montenegro that saw Kosovo cede some land it had previously claimed. ^[21]

The AAK formed an alliance with the PDK for the 2017 parliamentary election. Berisha appeared in the thirty-second position on their combined list, finished fifty-eighth, and was not re-elected when the list won thirty-nine seats. ^[22]

Deputy Minister (2017–19)

AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj became prime minister of Kosovo for a second time following the 2017 election. In October 2017, he appointed Berisha as deputy minister of health. A media report from this period identifies Berisha as a leading confidant of Haradinaj and a prominent, respected figure within the AAK. ^[23] He served as a deputy minister until a change of government in 2019.

Berisha urged Albanian citizens of Montenegro to support Milo Đukanović in the 2018 Montenegrin presidential election, describing Đukanović as "very important for the Euro-Atlantic integration of the region." ^[24]

In July 2018, Berisha was named as vice-president of the AAK. ^[25]

Second term in parliament (2019–21)

The AAK's alliance with the PDK proved to be short-lived, and the parties fielded separate lists in the 2019 parliamentary election. Berisha was given the twenty-ninth place on the AAK's list, finished eighth, and was elected to a second term when the list won thirteen seats. ^{[26] [27]} The AAK initially served in opposition once again, although in 2020 it joined a coalition government led by the LDK. In the latter period, Berisha was a government supporter.

He was promoted to the thirteenth position on the AAK's list in the 2021 parliamentary election but finished twenty-first and was not re-elected when the list fell to eight seats. ^{[28] [29]}

Electoral record

Local (Peja)

2013 Kosovan local elections: Mayor of Peja

Candidate		Party	First round		Second round
			Votes	%	Votes	%
	Gazmend Muhaxheri	Democratic League of Kosovo	17,200	40.97	23,211	56.37
	Ali Berisha (incumbent)	Alliance for the Future of Kosovo–Democratic League of Dardania (Affiliation: Alliance for the Future of Kosovo)	15,269	36.37	17,967	43.63
	Muhamet Halitaj	Democratic Party of Kosovo	6,392	15.23
	Hivzi Muharremi	Levizja Vetëvendosje!	1,638	3.90
	Myhedin Sylqa	Justice Party	998	2.38
	Gazmir Raci	Democratic Alternative of Kosovo	197	0.47
	Arsim Belegu	New Kosovo Alliance	160	0.38
	Dreshai Ramé	Social Movement of Kosovo	125	0.30
Total			41,979	100.00	41,178	100.00
Source: [30] [31]

2009 Kosovan local elections: Mayor of Peja

Candidate		Party	First round		Second round
			Votes	%	Votes	%
	Ali Berisha (incumbent)	Alliance for the Future of Kosovo	16,051	43.68	15,061	76.80
	Elmi Berisha	Democratic League of Dardania	5,845	15.91	4,549	23.20
	Ilhami Gashi	Democratic Party of Kosovo	5,152	14.02
	Agim Bërdyna	Democratic League of Kosovo	4,668	12.70
	Gazmend Muhaxheri	ORA	3,628	9.87
	Adem Gorani	Justice Party	801	2.18
	Ramiz Libusha	Social Democratic Party of Kosovo	600	1.63
Total			36,745	100.00	19,610	100.00
Source: [32] [33]

2007 Kosovan local elections: Mayor of Peja

Candidate		Party	First round		Second round
			Votes	%	Votes	%
	Ali Berisha	Alliance for the Future of Kosovo	8,203	23.00	18,068	67.63
	Gazmend Muhaxheri	ORA	6,311	17.69	8,646	32.37
	Hajredin Kuçi	Democratic Party of Kosovo	5,415	15.18
	Smajl Shala	Democratic League of Dardania	5,002	14.02
	Agim Bërdyna	Democratic League of Kosovo	4,798	13.45
	Sali Kelmendi	Sali Kelmendi	2,580	7.23
	Burim Basha	New Kosovo Alliance	2,417	6.78
	Sahudin Hysenaj	Justice Party	542	1.52
	Valdet Gashi	Valdet Gashi	401	1.12
Total			35,669	100.00	26,714	100.00
Source: [34] [35] [36]

References

1. Periudha e pestë Legjislative (17.07.2014 - 10.05.2017) – Ali Berisha, Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, accessed 8 November 2023.
2. Ali Berisha, Kallxo, 1 November 2013, accessed 8 November 2023.
3. Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2000 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Pejë – Lista e kandidatëve), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 13 January 2022.
4. ZGJEDHJET PËR KUVENDE KOMUNALE 2000 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Kandidatët e zgjedhur sipas subjekteve), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 22 January 2022.
5. ZGJEDHJET PËR KUVENDE KOMUNALE 2002 – Fletëvotimet dhe listat e kandidatëve (Pejë), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 18 January 2022.
6. Zgjedhjet për Kuvende Komunale 2002 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e subjekteve sipas komunave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 4 February 2022.
7. "Vehicle blast injures Kosovo minister, four others," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 22 February 2004 (Source: FoNet news agency, Belgrade, in Serbian 0928 gmt 22 Feb 04).
8. ZGJEDHJET PËR KUVENDIN E KOSOVËS 2004 – Fletëvotimi për Zgjedhjet për Kuvend të Kosovës 2004 (Lista e Kandidatëve për Zgjedhjet për Kuvend të Kosovës 2004), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 27 January 2022.
9. Periudha e dytë Legjislative (23.11.2004 - 12.12.2007), Assembly of Kosovo, accessed 2 February 2022.
10. "Kosovo public TV opens regional studio," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring Media, 14 January 2008 (Kosovo public TV opens regional studio).
11. "Kosovo mayor unable to prevent Serbian elections in municipality," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 10 April 2008 (Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 9 Apr 08).
12. "Kosovo municipality pledges not to allow formation of Serb parallel bodies," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 4 June 2008 (Source: KosovaLive website, Pristina, in English 3 Jun 08).
13. "Mayor protests against Montenegrin road signs inside Kosovo territory," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 11 October 2009 (Source: Express, Pristina, in Albanian 9 Oct 09).
14. "Deputy mayor vows to defend Serb interests, challenges Kosovo statehood," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 8 February 2010 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 5 Feb 10).
15. Kester Eddy, "Peja: Local efforts have been key to rebuilding," Financial Times, 8 June 2010.
16. "Kosovo's AAK rules out joining new government if Thaci appointed premier," British Broadcasting Corporation Monitoring European, 10 February 2011 (Source: Koha Ditore, Pristina, in Albanian 8 Feb 11 pp 1, 3).
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19. "Në seancë, deputeti i ri, Ali Berisha", Koha, 10 March 2016, accessed 8 November 2023.
20. Periudha e pestë Legjislative (17.07.2014 - 10.05.2017) – Komisionet, Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, accessed 8 November 2023.
21. "Ali Berisha i AAK-së: Sot është dita e shansit", Telegrafi, 3 August 2016, accessed 8 November 2023.
22. ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2017 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e kandidatëve sipas subjekteve të renditur sipas numrit të votave), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 2.
23. "https://telegrafi.com/haradinaj-emeron-ali-berishen-zevendesminister-shendetesise/", Telegrafi, 2 September 2017, accessed 8 November 2023.
24. "Berisha: Shqiptarët në Mal të Zi duhet ta votojnë patjetër Millo Gjukanoviqin", Telegrafi, April 2018, accessed 8 November 2023.
25. "Deklarimi i parë i Ali Berishës në cilësinë e nënkryetarit të AAK-së", Telegrafi, July 2018, accessed 8 November 2023.
26. ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2019 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e të gjithë kandidatëve (renditja si në fletëvotim)), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 14, accessed 2 February 2022.
27. ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2019 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Ndarja e ulëseve në Kuvend (Subjektet dhe kandidatët e zgjedhur)), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 6, accessed 14 January 2022.
28. ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2021 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Rezultatet e të gjithë kandidatëve (renditja si në fletëvotim)), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 30, accessed 21 January 2022.
29. ZGJEDHJET E PARAKOHSHME PËR KUVENDIN E REPUBLIKËS SË KOSOVËS 2021 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Ndarja e ulëseve në Kuvend (Subjektet dhe kandidatët e zgjedhur)), Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 7, accessed 20 January 2022.
30. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2013 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i parë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 18, accessed 14 January 2022.
31. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2013 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i dytë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 12, accessed 14 January 2022.
32. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2009 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i parë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 18, accessed 14 January 2022.
33. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2009 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i dytê) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 10, accessed 14 January 2022.
34. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Fletëvotimet (Raundi i parë) – Pejë, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, accessed 16 September 2023.
35. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i parê) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 17, accessed 14 January 2022.
36. ZGJEDHJET PËR KRYETARË TË KOMUNAVE 2007 – Rezultatet dhe Statistikat (Raundi i dytë) – Rezultatet e kandidatëve për Kryetar Komune, Central Election Commission, Republic of Kosovo, p. 14, accessed 14 January 2022.