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Kosovo Heads Toward Early Parliamentary Election After Deadlock in Parliament

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 11:40 GMT by KOB 4

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Kosovo Heads Toward an Early Parliamentary Election After a Deadlock in Parliament

In the wake of a parliamentary impasse, Kosovo has been set on a path toward an early vote, a development that underscores the fragility of its post‑conflict political landscape. On June 18, 2024, the country’s parliament failed to elect a new prime minister, triggering the constitutional provision that forces a new election. The next vote is now scheduled for September 15, marking the third election in just 16 months. The decision has reverberated across the Balkans and the European Union, where observers have expressed concern over the implications for Kosovo’s EU accession prospects and the broader stability of the Western Balkans.

The Vote That Fell Apart

The election of a prime minister in Kosovo follows a two‑round vote. After the parliamentary elections held on May 17, 2024, the Assembly (the 120‑member legislature) convened to decide who would head the next government. The process began with a “confidence” vote; a candidate needed a majority of 61 votes to win. None of the leading parties—Socialist Party of Kosovo (PSK), Vetëvendosje (VV), Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), or the Serbian minority parties—could marshal enough support to secure a majority.

In the first round on June 4, no candidate received the required 61 votes. A second round was scheduled for June 18. This time, the parliamentary vote was a clear deadlock: the Socialist Party’s candidate, Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi, received only 32 votes; VV’s nominee, Gëzim Isai, got 29; LDK’s nominee, Driton Selimi, obtained 19; and the Serbian‑aligned parties combined for 7. No coalition of parties could form a bloc of 61, and the Assembly’s president, Aleksandar Dautović, declared that no government could be formed. According to Article 107 of the Constitution, the Assembly must form a government within 30 days; otherwise, the President must call a new election.

The Constitutional Trigger

President Vjosa Osmani, who has been a pro‑EU reformer since taking office in March 2021, issued a formal declaration on June 19 stating that the Assembly had not been able to elect a government within the stipulated period. This declaration automatically set a new election for September 15. The president also announced that she would convene a special parliamentary session to discuss potential coalition arrangements, but those talks failed to break the deadlock. The early election rule was designed to avoid a prolonged political vacuum that could undermine governance, but it also underscores how difficult it has become for Kosovo’s fragmented political parties to cooperate.

Why the Coalition Was Impossible

The failure to form a coalition is rooted in a long‑standing pattern of mistrust among Kosovo’s parties. The Socialist Party, once the dominant force, now finds itself without a clear majority, while Vetëvendosje, a populist nationalist party, insists on a stringent anti‑corruption platform that has alienated many traditional allies. LDK, the party of the former president, is split over whether to ally with VV or the PSK. The Serbian minority parties, which command seats in the Assembly, are often excluded from coalition talks because of their stance on Kosovo’s independence and their ties to Belgrade.

Political analysts say that the deadlock reflects deeper ideological fissures: the PSK’s pro‑Serbian foreign policy clashing with VV’s hardline stance on Kosovo’s sovereignty, and LDK’s willingness to compromise with both sides. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Kosovo’s electoral law mandates a 5 % threshold, which prevents smaller parties from gaining representation. Consequently, the larger parties are left with an almost impossible task of forming a stable coalition that satisfies their constituencies.

International Reactions

The European Union has repeatedly emphasized the importance of political stability for Kosovo’s EU accession talks. In a statement issued on June 21, the European Commission’s Head of the Balkan Policy, Miro Štambuk, cautioned that a repeated failure to form governments could stall the country’s progress toward EU membership. Meanwhile, the United States’ Ambassador to the United Nations, J. Christopher Stevens, urged “all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and uphold democratic norms.” The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) has also expressed concern, noting that a stable government is essential for maintaining security and delivering services.

Serbia’s government, led by Prime Minister Ana Brnabić, has called for “regional cooperation” but has also made it clear that it will not engage with any coalition that does not recognize Serbian interests. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, highlighted that any political instability could threaten the fragile progress in Kosovo‑Serbia talks, which have been stalled for months.

Potential Impact on EU Accession and Regional Stability

Kosovo’s political instability could delay its accession talks with the EU, which are currently at the pre‑membership negotiation stage. The EU’s “Rule of Law” criteria require a stable government that can enforce reforms. If the early elections lead to another weak coalition, the EU may postpone or even halt the start of accession negotiations.

Moreover, the domestic situation may impact the ongoing dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, led by the Brussels Agreement of 2013 and the European Union–Bilateral Agreement of 2018. A stable government is necessary to implement the agreement’s provisions on the integration of the Serb minority and the functioning of the Brussels Agreement Council. Without a stable government, the dialogue may stall again, raising the specter of renewed tensions and possibly even the risk of a return to violence.

Looking Ahead

The early election scheduled for September 15 offers Kosovo’s electorate an opportunity to break the deadlock. The parties will have to consider forming new alliances, potentially bringing third‑party actors into the mix. Analysts note that the electorate is increasingly demanding accountability and anti‑corruption measures, which could favor VV or a coalition that includes anti‑corruption parties. However, the high political stakes mean that even a new government could be fragile, potentially leading to another early election.

In the meantime, President Osmani and the parliamentary president are working to ensure that the interim government can maintain essential functions. The Assembly has established a committee to oversee the transition, including the implementation of reforms related to transparency, judicial independence, and the decentralization of power—issues that were central to the EU’s assessment of Kosovo’s readiness for accession.

In conclusion, the failed attempt to elect a government has plunged Kosovo back into the cycle of early elections, exposing deep divisions within its political system and highlighting the fragility of its democratic institutions. The forthcoming September vote will determine whether the country can move past this impasse and resume its long‑term goal of EU membership, or whether the pattern of political paralysis will continue, threatening both domestic governance and regional stability.