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Although he has been called "the father" of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and was chosen "president" of Kosovo in an underground election by Kosovar Albanians, some believe Rugova's star has faded. His non-violent approach was too passive for the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) and Western officials say his authority has declined. No one has stepped forward to replace him yet, although one candidate is Jakup Krasniqi of "the New LDK" and spokesman for the KLA. Another is Bujar Bukoshi, "prime minister" of the ethnic Albanians' so-called government-in-exile. A third is Rugova's old rival, Adem Demaqi, who is known as "the Balkan Mandela" after spending 28 years in Serbian jails as a political prisoner.