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Kosovo will return to the polls for the second time in less than a year after its parliament failed to form a new government, President Vjosa Osmani announced Thursday.
“December 28 is the date that I have assessed as the only possible remaining date,” Osmani told reporters at a press conference in the capital, Pristina.
The move follows months of political deadlock after the Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje), which won the most seats in the Feb. 9 election, failed twice to secure parliamentary approval for a new government.
Outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s party lost a key parliamentary vote on Wednesday to install its second nominee, Glauk Konjufca, marking the final constitutional attempt to form a government before snap elections are triggered.
Kurti, who has served as prime minister since 2021, will remain in a caretaker role until a new government is formed.
On Thursday, Osmani officially dissolved the parliament after holding consultations with political party leaders. Her office confirmed she signed the dissolution decree, clearing the way for snap elections on Dec. 28.
The Self-Determination Movement’s first attempt to form a cabinet—led by Kurti—was rejected in a confidence vote on Oct. 26. A second attempt, this time with Konjufca as nominee, also failed to gain majority support in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo, the 120-seat unicameral legislature.
Under Kosovo’s constitution, failure by two successive candidates to form a government requires the president to call early elections.
1 min read
Vetevendosje emerged from the February general election as the strongest political force, winning 48 of the 100 directly elected seats. However, it fell short of the 61 seats needed to form a majority in the 120-seat assembly.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) secured 24 seats, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won 20, and the AAK/NISMA alliance obtained eight seats. The remaining 20 seats are reserved for representatives of Kosovo’s non-majority communities.
Political disagreements delayed the formation of key parliamentary structures for months, including the election of the speaker and deputy speakers. A breakthrough was achieved only on Oct. 10 with the election of the deputy speaker from the Serb community, which allowed the government formation process to begin.
With no party able to command a governing majority, Kosovo is now set for its second early election in less than three years.
3 min read
