Kosovo PM challenges parliament dissolution

Friday 06 - 19:19

Kosovo has entered a new phase of political uncertainty after Prime Minister Albin Kurti challenged a decision by President Vjosa Osmani to dissolve parliament and call early elections.

The dispute follows months of political deadlock in Kosovo, Europe’s youngest state. The institutional crisis intensified after lawmakers failed to elect a new president before the end of Osmani’s term, which is scheduled to expire in about a month.

Earlier on Friday, President Osmani announced the dissolution of parliament, arguing that the constitution left her with no alternative after repeated failed attempts by legislators to choose a successor. She also called for snap elections, which would mark the third national vote in just over a year.

Speaking to reporters, Osmani expressed regret over the political stalemate, saying the situation could have been avoided if lawmakers had prioritized the interests of citizens.

However, Prime Minister Kurti quickly moved to contest the decision. The head of government filed an appeal before the Constitutional Court, arguing that the parliamentary process to elect a president had not been fully completed.

During a press conference in the capital, Pristina, Kurti stated that two additional rounds of voting should have taken place but could not occur because opposition lawmakers were absent during the latest parliamentary session. According to him, the legal procedure was therefore incomplete.

Kurti asked the Constitutional Court to suspend the dissolution of parliament while it reviews the appeal. The court confirmed receiving the request but did not immediately provide further details about the timeline for its decision.

The confrontation between the presidency and the government represents the latest chapter in a prolonged political crisis in Kosovo. The country has struggled to achieve political stability since an inconclusive parliamentary election early last year.

In that vote, Kurti’s party finished first but failed to secure a governing majority, leading to months of negotiations and legislative paralysis. The stalemate eventually triggered another snap election in December, which Kurti’s party also won but again without a decisive majority.

Although Kurti managed to secure support from several ethnic minority parties to remain prime minister, his coalition still lacks sufficient votes to ensure the election of a preferred presidential candidate, prolonging the institutional impasse.

The Constitutional Court’s upcoming decision is now expected to determine whether the dissolution of parliament will stand or whether lawmakers must resume the presidential election process.