PRISTINA: Kosovo’s parliament failed to elect a new president before the constitutional deadline on Thursday, deepening the country’s political crisis and increasing the possibility of another snap election.
The 120-seat assembly was required to elect a head of state by midnight, but lawmakers were unable to proceed with the vote after the ruling Vetevendosje party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, failed to secure enough support from opposition parties for its candidate.
The opposition has been pushing for a consensus candidate, while Kurti nominated his foreign minister, Glauk Konjufca, for the presidency.
Parliament Speaker Albulena Haxhiu announced that the session could not continue due to a lack of quorum.
“There is no quorum to continue this session… we cannot proceed with the vote,” Haxhiu said, noting that only 66 lawmakers were present in the chamber, far short of the 80 required to hold the vote.
If the deadlock leads to a snap election, it would mark Kosovo’s third parliamentary vote in just over a year. The country already held early elections on December 28 after political parties failed to form a government following the February 2025 parliamentary poll.
The two main opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo have called on the president to dissolve parliament and announce fresh elections.
Outgoing President Vjosa Osmani, whose mandate ends in about a month, is expected to outline the next steps on Friday.
-Bill Bytyci
