Kosovo’s political crisis deepened on Tuesday after opposition parties derailed the first parliamentary session since February’s inconclusive elections, AP News informed.
The session collapsed when opposition lawmakers rejected a constitutional review of acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s caretaker government, which had remained in place despite his Vetëvendosje! party losing its parliamentary majority.
Though Kurti’s cabinet submitted its resignation as required, the procedural impasse forced acting Speaker Glauk Konjufca to adjourn proceedings and seek presidential guidance.
Vetëvendosje! that won 48 of 120 seats must now secure 61 votes to form a government. However, Kurti ruled out alliances with the three main opposition blocs: the PDK (24 seats), LDK (20 seats), and AAK (8 seats), all of which had likewise rejected cooperation with him.
The prime minister-designate could turn to 10 minority MPs, primarily representing Kosovo’s Serb community, but would still need at least three additional votes. Should negotiations fail, President Vjosa Osmani may task another party with forming a government or trigger fresh elections, prolonging political paralysis.
The deadlock threatens to freeze critical governance functions and derail EU-mediated normalisation talks with Serbia, which have stalled despite a 2023 agreement. The deal requires Kosovo to grant greater autonomy to Serb-majority municipalities whereas Serbia must recognise Kosovo’s sovereignty, a bitter pill for Belgrade, which still considers its former province a breakaway territory.
