2025 Kosovo political deadlock

On 9 February 2025, Kosovo held parliamentary elections to choose the 120 members of its Assembly. The winner of these elections was Vetëvendosje (LVV) with 42,3% of the vote— or 48 Assembly seats —which makes up a plurality rather than a majority. The winning party is required by law to appoint the new Speaker of the Assembly within 30 days after the results are certified, needing to pass the threshold of 61 votes (an absolute majority).[1][2]

Deadlocks

Assembly deadlock

LVV's proposition for Assembly Speaker is the outgoing Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu. The voting process began on 15 April 2025, and failed with 52 votes "for", 46 "against" and 11 abstentions.[3][4] The meeting was delayed by 48 hours as per Kosovo's legal framework, and the members reconvened again on 19 April. The members did not reach a consensus once more.[5][6] The meeting was delayed more than 40 times as a result of the opposition parties categorically refusing the proposed candidate, which has been called a "deadlock" or "blockade" by all parties. On 26 August, Dimal Basha from LVV was voted as Assembly Speaker on his second proposal with a majority vote of 73 to 30.[7][8]

All parties have accused each-other of trying to block the process, and have refused several options, such as the option for a secret ballot which was proposed by lawmakers.[9][10] Haxhiu has said that if a secret ballot goes ahead and she does not receive the required 61 votes, she would withdraw.[11][12] Neither opposition party has proposed its own candidate for Assembly Speaker. The Assembly has also not approved a budget for 2026, increasing tensions.[13]

On 26 June, the Constitutional Court ruled that the deadlock must be ended within 30 days (by 26 July).[14][15] Following the court's decision, President Vjosa Osmani began to meet with party leaders to find an agreement.[16]

The deadlock has been met with symbolic civil protests.[17][18] In one protest on 3 July, the lawyer Arianit Koci gained a lot of media attention after he brought four donkeys in front of the doors of the Assembly, to symbolize "the stubbornness that the Assembly members are showing".[19][20] By 27 July, there were 54 votes in total before the deadline set by the Constitutional Court.[15][21][22]

On 8 August, the Court gave MPs another 30 days to elect a speaker. It however stipulated that no candidate could be proposed more than three times, and that MPs must be present to vote during the sessions. The Court also found that the acting speaker had violated the constitution by continuing to call for a commission to establish a secret ballot.[23][24]

No. Candidate Party Pro Against Abstention Date
1 Albulena Haxhiu VV 57 56 3 20 August[25][26]
2 Donika Gërvalla Guxo 57 56 3
3 Hekuran Murati VV 57 51 6 22 August[27]
4 55 46 5 24 August[28][29][30]
5 Arbërie Nagavci 55 47 4
6 Dimal Basha 57 25 24
7 73 30 8 26 August[31]

Cabinet deadlock

On 26 October 2025, LVV nominated Albin Kurti as prime minister-designate and presented a proposed cabinet; however, it failed to secure the required 61 votes, receiving only 56 in favor, while 52 deputies voted against and 4 abstained.[32] According to the Constitution of Kosovo, if the proposed composition of the new government does not obtain the necessary majority in the Assembly, the president must appoint a second prime minister-designate. Accordingly, on 19 November 2025, LVV nominated Glauk Konjufca as prime minister-designate and presented a proposed cabinet, but again failed to obtain the required 61 votes, receiving 56 votes in favor, 53 against, and 4 abstentions.[33]

A yellow background indicates the nominee who became part of the cabinet formed in February 2026.[34]

Portfolio 26 October nominee 19 November nominee Party
Prime Minister Albin Kurti Glauk Konjufca LVV
First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs[a] Glauk Konjufca Albin Kurti LVV
Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Donika Gërvalla Guxo
Third Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Affairs[b] Fikrim Damka KDTP
Minister of Agriculture[c] Armend Muja LVV
Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rašić ZSPO
Minister of Culture[d] Fatmir Spahiu Independent
Minister of Defence Ejup Maqedonci LVV
Minister of Education Avni Zogiani LVV
Minister of Energy[e] Artane Rizvanolli LVV
Minister of Environment and Spatial Planning Fitore Pacolli LVV
Minister for Family and Social Welfare Andin Hoti LVV
Minister of Finance[f] Hekuran Murati LVV
Minister of Health Arben Vitia LVV
Minister of Infrastructure[g] Dimal Basha Besnik Bislimi LVV
Minister of Internal Affairs Xhelal Sveçla LVV
Minister of Local Government Administration Rasim Demiri Vakat
Minister of Public Administration and Digitalisation Lulëzon Jagxhiu LVV
Minister for Regional Development Sejnur Veshall PREBK
Minister of Sport[h] Blerim Gashani LVV
Minister of Trade[i] Mimoza Kusari-Lila Alternativa
Notes
  1. ^ In the second nomination, the "Diaspora" portfolio was also added.
  2. ^ In the second nomination, the "Economic Cooperation" portfolio was also added.
  3. ^ In the second nomination, the "Forestry and Rural Development" portfolio was also added.
  4. ^ In the second nomination, the "Tourism" portfolio was also added.
  5. ^ In the second nomination, the "Mining" portfolio was also added.
  6. ^ In the second nomination, the "Economy" portfolio was also added.
  7. ^ In the second nomination, the "Transport" portfolio was also added.
  8. ^ In the second nomination, the "Youth" portfolio was also added.
  9. ^ In the second nomination, the "Industry and European Integration" portfolio was also added.

Aftermath

See also: 2026 Kosovan presidential election

A fresh election was held on 28 December in which Vetëvendosje won nearly a majority in parliament, effectively ending the deadlock as Albulena Haxhiu was voted as the next Assembly Speaker by a majority of 66 lawmakers on 11 February 2026.[35][36] Later that day, Albin Kurti's third cabinet was approved, including nine nominees from the previous failed attempts.[34]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sot tentohet për herë të 34 konstituimi i Kuvendit të Kosovës, s'ka sinjale për dalje nga ngërçi". Gazeta Express (in Albanian). 19 June 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  2. ^ Vatovci, Isa (27 March 2025). "Certifikimi i rezultatit të zgjedhjeve, Bekim Kupina: Presidentja do të thërrasë seancën konstituive të Kuvendit brenda afatit kushtetues". Kallxo (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  3. ^ Isufi, Antigonë; Xhema, Shqipron (15 April 2025). "Ndërpritet seanca konstituive e Kuvendit të Kosovës". Kallxo (in Albanian).
  4. ^ Isufi, Antigonë (15 April 2025). "Ndërprerja e seancës konstituive: Çka tutje?". Kallxo (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  5. ^ "Sot vazhdon seanca për zgjedhjen e Kryetarit të Kuvendit". Kallxo (in Albanian). 21 April 2025.
  6. ^ Isufi, Antigonë; Xhema, Shqipron (19 April 2025). "Haxhiu dështon të zgjidhet kryeparlamentare, seanca konstituive vazhdon të hënën". Kallxo (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  7. ^ "LIVE: Dimal Basha zgjidhet kryeparlamentar". KOHA.net (in Albanian). 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  8. ^ "Ngërçi merr fund në Kuvend, Basha zë ulësen e kryetarit". TËVË 1 (in Albanian). 26 August 2025. Retrieved 26 August 2025.
  9. ^ "Ngërçi në Kuvend nuk zhbllokohet as pas përpjekjes së 15-të". Radio Evropa e Lirë (in Albanian). 13 May 2025. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  10. ^ "Kosovo Faces Deepening Political Crisis After 21 Failed Attempts To Elect Speaker". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  11. ^ Express, Gazeta (27 June 2025). "Haxhiu: If I do not receive at least 61 votes, I will withdraw from my candidacy for Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly". Gazeta Express. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  12. ^ Bami, Xhorxhina (27 June 2025). "Kosovo PM Seeks Consensus as Court Orders End to Parliament Deadlock". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  13. ^ https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/preliminary-results-show-kosovo-prime-minister-kurtis-party-won-snap-vote-with-clear-margin
  14. ^ Bami, Xhorxhina (27 June 2025). "Kosovo PM Seeks Consensus as Court Orders End to Parliament Deadlock". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  15. ^ a b "One week from the Constitutional deadline for the constitution of the Assembly". KOHA.net. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  16. ^ ""The deadlines are running out", the 41st attempt to constitute the Assembly". Telegrafi. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
  17. ^ Sulaj, Agim (17 June 2025). "Disa qytetarë kundërshtojnë me protestë bllokadën e Kuvendit të Kosovës". Anadolu Agency (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Protesta e veteranëve të UÇK, nisen drejt Kuvendit të Kosovës mjete të blinduara". www.balkanweb.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  19. ^ Zh, Xh (3 July 2025). "Kuvendi i Kosovës dështon të konstituohet për herë të 41-të, shoqëria civile proteston para institucionit". Vizion Plus. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Kosovë/ Avokati sjell në Kuvend 4 gomerë: Simbolizojnë kryeneçësinë e politikanëve (VIDEO) - Shqiptarja.com". shqiptarja.com (in Albanian). Retrieved 5 July 2025.
  21. ^ Express, Gazeta (19 July 2025). "Reçica does not declare for Limaj, says Albin Kurti will not give him the post of Speaker of Parliament". Gazeta Express. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
  22. ^ "Kosovo Government Remains in Limbo as Parliament Hits Stalemate". www.bta.bg. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
  23. ^ Bami, Xhorxhina (8 August 2025). "Kosovo Court Gives MPs 30 More Days to Inaugurate Parliament". Balkan Insight. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Constitutional Court rules on blockade in Parliament". KOHA.net. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  25. ^ "LAJMI I FUNDIT: Dështon edhe njëherë Albulena Haxhiu për t'u bërë kryetare e Kuvendit". Veriu.info (in Albanian). 20 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Opozita nuk e mbështet Donika Gërvallën/ Dështon tentativa e dytë për zgjedhjen e kryetares së Kuvendit". Indeksonline (in Albanian). 20 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Dështon propozimi i ri i LVV-së, as Hekuran Murati nuk i merr votat e mjaftueshme për kryeparlamentar". Kallxo.com (in Albanian). 22 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Hekuran Murati dështon të zgjidhet kryetar Kuvendi". Gazeta Blic (in Albanian). 24 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Edhe kandidatura e dytë e propozuar nga VV-ja, Arbërie Nagavci, dështon të zgjedhet kryekuvendare". Gazetablic (in Albanian). 24 August 2025.
  30. ^ "Edhe deputeti tjetër nga VV, Dimal Basha, dështon të zgjedhet kryeparlamentar". Gazetablic (in Albanian). 24 August 2025.
  31. ^ "Dimal Basha zgjidhet kryetar i Kuvendit të Kosovës". Deutsche Welle (in Albanian). 26 August 2025.
  32. ^ "No vote for "Kurti 3", the country heads towards extraordinary elections". Koha Ditore. 26 October 2025.
  33. ^ "Konjufca dështon të marrë votat për Qeveri, vendi drejt zgjedhjeve" [Konjufca fails to get votes for Government, country heads towards elections]. Betimi për Drejtësi (in Albanian). 19 November 2025.
  34. ^ a b "Kabineti i Kurti 3 pritet të shkojë në 19 ministri (VIDEO)" [Kurti's 3rd cabinet is expected to include 19 ministries (VIDEO)] (in Albanian). Klan Kosova. 10 February 2026.
  35. ^ Delauney, Guy (29 December 2025). "Kosovo's ruling party wins election after months of political deadlock". BBC News. Retrieved 30 December 2025.
  36. ^ Express, Gazeta (11 February 2026). "After dozens of failures last year, Albulena Haxhiu is elected president of the new legislature with 66 votes in favor". Gazeta Express. Retrieved 11 February 2026.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.