Kosovo is facing a growing political crisis after lawmakers failed for the 21st time to elect a speaker of parliament, prolonging an institutional deadlock that has left the country without a functional government more than three months after national elections.
The impasse centers on Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s nomination of former Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu as speaker, a choice the opposition has repeatedly rejected. With no compromise in sight, parliament has been unable to move forward with the formation of a new government.
“The institutional crisis following the February 9 elections has surpassed all acceptable limits and is damaging not only the Assembly, but the entire democratic system of the country,” a group of civil society organizations warned over the weekend.
Kurti’s Vetevendosje (VV) party won 48 seats in the 120-seat Assembly and has the backing of some minority deputies – excluding the Serb List – but remains short of the 61 votes needed to elect a speaker and form a majority government. Haxhiu, a senior VV figure, is viewed by opposition parties as too polarizing.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) have called on Kurti to propose a more broadly acceptable candidate, but he has refused to do so. The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has also rejected VV’s offers, instead proposing a transitional government comprised of ethnic Albanian parties – an idea Vetevendosje has dismissed.
Repeated attempts to break the stalemate, including votes on forming a commission to oversee a secret ballot, have also failed. Under Kosovo’s constitution, the Assembly must reconvene every 48 hours until a speaker is elected. The next vote is scheduled for May 27.
Foreign diplomats have expressed concern over the prolonged deadlock. Ambassadors from the Quint countries – the U.S., U.K., Germany, France, and Italy – have urged a swift resolution, warning that the delay threatens both economic assistance and Kosovo’s path to Euro-Atlantic integration.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, visiting Kosovo last week, announced the easing of sanctions imposed over tensions in the Serb-majority north. But she emphasized that more progress is needed. “Kosovo needs functioning institutions to implement reforms,” she said. “I encourage all parties to break the stalemate and form a government.”
Political analyst Adrian Shtuni said the crisis reflects a lack of trust and an unwillingness to compromise across party lines. “This is a mutual zugzwang, where any political move is seen as a risk,” he told RFE/RL. “No one has the numbers, and no one is willing to give ground.”
Some experts blame Kurti’s insistence on Haxhiu as speaker, arguing it undermines his ability to build consensus. Even if he eventually succeeds, they warn, any government that emerges may lack stability.
Gezim Visoka, professor at Dublin City University, said the stalemate underscores the need for a political culture shift in Kosovo. “It is paradoxical,” he said, “that parties which once demanded independence from international oversight now struggle to govern independently.”