Kosovo’s new parliament failed to convene on Tuesday after opposition parties blocked the adoption of a committee report verifying the quorum and mandates of elected MPs. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) voted against the report, while the Serbian List abstained.
Caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti submitted his resignation in a letter to parliamentary speaker Glauk Konjufca, both on his own behalf and on behalf of his cabinet. In the letter, Kurti said the move was intended to allow ministers elected as MPs to be sworn in.
In a Facebook post, Kurti described the vote against the report as an “institutional attack from within the Republic of Kosovo” and accused the opposition of undermining the democratic process. He said rejecting the mandate verification was an act against the formation of the new parliament.
Vetëvendosje (VV) MP Mimoza Kusari-Lila said the opposition had voted against their own mandates and accused them of not accepting the election results.
VV lawmaker Faton Peci stated the party is ready to propose a candidate for speaker once the mandates are verified. He warned that immediate resignations of ministers without a formal handover would create an “institutional vacuum.”
President Not Notified
The Office of the President said it had not received official notification from the Assembly about the failed session. “So far, no letter has arrived. A response can only follow once a formal request is submitted,” said Bekim Kupina, media adviser to President Vjosa Osmani.
According to parliamentary rules, interruptions during a constitutive session cannot exceed 48 hours. Acting speaker Avni Dehari said the session would be suspended and the president would be informed of next steps following the report’s rejection.
Is Kurti Buying Time?
PDK leader Memli Krasniqi called the committee report unconstitutional, while LDK representative in the committee, Armend Zemaj, said the necessary documentation regarding resignations of ministers elected as MPs was not provided in time.
Krasniqi accused VV of mismanaging legal processes during its term and warned that the new legislature must not begin with “constitutional violations.”
LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku accused VV of intentionally obstructing the process, calling it a dangerous precedent. He urged the Assembly to reconvene immediately.
“We saw 52 party supporters in a session by a party claiming it has the numbers. Resign, show up in parliament, and the problem is solved,” Abdixhiku said.
LDK MP Hikmete Bajrami confirmed the party would not support VV’s nominee for speaker and insisted the proposing party must ensure a parliamentary majority.
AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said the opposition will not participate in the speaker vote, maintaining a unified stance with PDK and LDK.
While the swearing-in of MPs from the ninth legislature is on the agenda, the ruling party has yet to announce its candidate for speaker. The winning party, VV, holds the right to nominate the speaker.
Minority Communities Not Aligned With Kurti
Veton Berisha of the Egyptian Liberal Party said his group has no coalition agreement but would not block the formation of institutions. “We have never been an obstacle,” he said.
Nenad Rašić, leader of the Freedom, Justice and Survival Party, confirmed that the Serbian community will be represented in the new government and would support its formation.
Vetëvendosje secured 48 seats in the Assembly and needs at least 61 to form a majority. So far, it has not reached any official agreement with Albanian opposition parties or minority groups outside the Serbian List.
Kurti Lacks Majority
VV leader Albin Kurti, whose party won the February 9 elections, said he intended to secure a vote for both the speaker and the new government during the constitutive session.
However, by Monday, VV had only secured 56 confirmed votes—48 from its own MPs and eight from non-Serb minorities—falling short of the 61 needed.
Fatmir Limaj, leader of the Social Democratic Initiative, denied having any agreement with VV to support its candidate for speaker or to join the government. His party holds three seats in the Assembly.
“The Initiative has no deal with any political group so far. We are ready to work hard to ensure Kosovo avoids a parliamentary crisis, but we have not made any commitments,” Limaj said.
He added that potential developments would be clearer on Tuesday and expressed openness to cooperation with anyone offering serious proposals.
However, Limaj’s coalition partner, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj, dismissed any potential deal with VV as a “shameful arrangement.”
PDK said it would not support VV’s speaker candidate either. PDK MP Mergim Lushtaku stated his group would not participate in the vote without a “sustainable solution” for Kosovo.
“A sustainable solution is Bedri Hamza as prime minister. We believe his leadership would bring stability. We call on all parties to stick to their promises and prevent the formation of ‘Kurti 3’,” Lushtaku said.
Meanwhile, some non-Serb minority MPs pledged support for VV’s speaker candidate and the formation of the government.
