Kosovo remains mired in political stalemate after the eighth failed attempt to constitute its new Assembly, with the nomination of Vetëvendosje’s (VV) Albulena Haxhiu for Speaker rejected in a vote on April 29. The impasse is fueling speculation that fresh elections may be the only way forward.
According to Kosovo’s parliamentary rules, lawmakers are required to meet every 48 hours until the Speaker is elected, with the next session scheduled for May 1. While there is no limit to the number of such sessions, the constitution stipulates a one-month deadline from the verification of mandates to elect a Speaker. If the deadline passes without success, new elections must be called.
Political analysts interviewed by European Western Balkans (EWB) say that, amid deadlock and dwindling prospects for compromise, a return to the polls could happen as early as this summer or in the autumn. They warn, however, that any government formed under current conditions is likely to be fragile and short-lived.
Divided Parliament, Limited Options
VV, led by Albin Kurti, emerged as the largest party in the February 9 parliamentary election but failed to secure a governing majority, weakening its mandate compared to its 2021 landslide. Opposition parties have ruled out cooperation with Kurti, leaving the political system gridlocked.
“The institutional stalemate formally suggests that new elections are the most likely scenario,” said Visar Ymeri, executive director of the Institute for Social Policy in Pristina and former VV leader. However, he cautioned that going to elections would still require a political consensus—something currently lacking.
“Some parties risk falling below the electoral threshold, making them reluctant to support a new vote,” Ymeri told EWB.
He identified only two realistic paths out of the impasse: a grand coalition between VV and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), or a broad anti-VV coalition. “Neither option is easy, and neither guarantees a stable government,” Ymeri noted.
Should new elections be called, he predicted they would most likely coincide with municipal elections in October 2025. “The results wouldn’t differ much from what we have now,” he said, adding that PDK’s support has remained stable while other parties are experiencing a gradual decline.
No Clear Path to Stability
Adelina Hasani, a researcher at the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies, echoed concerns over a prolonged stalemate, warning that “no party currently has the numbers to form a government independently.”
“The Assembly remains blocked because of the failure to agree on a Speaker. Even if VV fails to form a government, the opposition still lacks a viable majority,” Hasani told EWB.
She emphasized that any government formed under such polarized conditions is unlikely to be durable. “While the idea of holding new elections remains on the table, no concrete solution has emerged.”
Hasani also noted that it remains uncertain which party could gain from fresh elections. “Regardless of the outcome, political compromise will still be necessary to establish functioning institutions,” she said.
VV Favors Summer Vote Amid Diaspora Return
According to Aleksandar Šljuka, a researcher at the Mitrovica-based New Social Initiative, early elections are increasingly likely if the deadlock persists and no compromise is reached on the Speaker’s election.
“Kosovo’s Constitution does not specify deadlines for electing the Speaker or define new elections as a formal remedy. However, if the crisis drags on, it is likely that early elections would be triggered in consultation with the Constitutional Court,” Šljuka told EWB.
He noted that neither VV nor the opposition has demonstrated a stable majority since the February vote, although Kurti has managed to secure the support of several non-majority MPs and three from Nisma.
Šljuka added that VV may prefer a summer election, when diaspora voters—who typically favor the party—return to Kosovo.
“A combined local and parliamentary election could have a synergistic effect,” he said. “But it’s also risky for VV, which performed poorly in the last local elections. It could shift focus away from the national message and mobilize different voter segments.”
He warned that further delays—especially into the period when Kosovo’s president must be elected—could complicate the political calculus even more. “The role of President Vjosa Osmani could influence the campaign dynamics, though such a scenario is unlikely.”
As the Assembly remains frozen and party leaders trade blame, Kosovo’s political future appears uncertain—underscoring the growing likelihood that the ballot box may once again be called upon to break the deadlock.
