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Kosovo's ruling AAK loses grip on power after failed coalition talks

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 12:26 GMT by reuters.com

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Kosovo’s Ruling Party Loses Grip on Power as It Fails to Form a Government

By Reuters Correspondent – 19 Nov 2025

A wave of political uncertainty has swept across Kosovo after the country’s ruling party, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), was unable to secure a coalition that would allow it to form a government following the November 2024 parliamentary elections. The failure marks the first time since the 2010s that the AAK has been sidelined at the helm of the country, setting the stage for a new coalition that could alter Kosovo’s political landscape and its relationship with neighboring Serbia and the European Union.

1. The Election That Re‑shaped Kosovo’s Parliament

On 3 November 2024, Kosovars turned out in record numbers to vote in a highly competitive parliamentary election. The AAK, led by former minister and long‑time political figure Senad Pllani, secured 31 % of the vote, amounting to 44 seats out of 120 in the Assembly. The ruling party’s main rival, the Socialist Party of Kosovo (PSK), led by Albin Kurti, obtained 25 % (35 seats). The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) captured 15 % (21 seats), while several smaller parties—including the New Kosovo Alliance (NKF) and the Independent Liberal Party (ILP)—took the remaining seats.

The AAK’s loss of a majority was the biggest shock of the campaign, as analysts had predicted that the party would comfortably surpass the 30‑seat threshold required for an outright majority. While the AAK’s vote share was slightly above expectations, the high turnout meant that the opposition forces collectively gained enough seats to threaten the party’s dominance.

2. Coalition Negotiations: AAK’s Struggle to Build a Bloc

The Constitution of Kosovo requires any government to secure at least 30 % of the Assembly’s seats. As a result, coalition building is a perennial feature of the country’s politics. After the results were announced, the AAK entered negotiations with a range of potential partners: the LDK, the New Kosovo Alliance, the Liberal Movement (LM), and the National Democratic Initiative (NDI). The AAK’s coalition strategy, as articulated by its spokesperson, was to forge a broad center‑right bloc that would include both ethnic‑majority and minority parties.

However, talks broke down on multiple fronts. The LDK, traditionally a key partner of the AAK, announced that it would not enter a coalition with any party that had been part of the “unilateral” government formed in 2019, citing concerns over policy divergences on Kosovo’s integration into European structures. The NKF, while open to a partnership, insisted on a shared commitment to a “federalist” approach that would allow greater local autonomy—an issue that the AAK viewed as compromising national sovereignty.

When the AAK approached the National Democratic Initiative, the latter rejected the offer on the grounds that it would be “politically impractical” to combine forces with a party that had a historically nationalist agenda. The coalition’s failure was further compounded by the AAK’s insistence on retaining a majority of key cabinet positions, a stance that other parties deemed unrealistic given the fragmented seat distribution.

3. Opposition Bloc Emerges

While the AAK’s coalition talks stalled, the opposition parties moved in the opposite direction. The Socialist Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo entered a rapid, confidential meeting on 17 November that culminated in a coalition agreement. Under the pact, the PSK would take the prime minister’s role, while the LDK would secure a prominent cabinet position for its leader, Fadil Berisha, who was re‑elected as the party’s president in a recent internal vote.

The coalition agreement was signed by both parties’ leaders in the presence of the Assembly President, and included a joint statement on the need for economic reforms, anti‑corruption measures, and a “fresh start” in relations with Serbia. While the new coalition still falls short of an outright majority—totaling 56 seats—it is poised to secure a majority through a partnership with the ILP, which holds 10 seats and has historically aligned with pro‑reform stances.

4. Presidential Response and the 90‑Day Deadline

President Vjosa Osmani, a former opposition figure who has been praised for her diplomatic engagement with both the EU and Serbia, called a joint meeting of the Assembly on 20 November to decide whether the Assembly will accept the new coalition’s proposal. According to the Constitution, if a coalition cannot be formed within 90 days of the election, the President can dissolve the Assembly and call for new elections.

Osmani acknowledged that the AAK’s inability to secure a coalition “has left the country in a state of uncertainty,” but emphasized that the newly proposed coalition represented a pragmatic path forward. She also indicated that the President would invite all parties to a “technical” meeting to discuss the formation of a provisional government that could keep essential state functions running while a permanent coalition was negotiated.

5. International and Regional Implications

The AAK’s failure to form a government has reverberated beyond Kosovo’s borders. The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, issued a statement urging all parties to “act responsibly and constructively” to avoid further instability. He added that the EU would continue to monitor the situation closely, as the stability of Kosovo remains a linchpin for the Western Balkans’ EU accession path.

Serbian officials, meanwhile, expressed concern that a government led by the Socialist Party—an entity that has historically been more pro‑Serbian in its approach—could pave the way for renewed dialogue over Kosovo’s status. The Government of Serbia’s Deputy Minister for EU Integration, Miloš Radojević, urged both the Kosovo government and the Serbian side to intensify talks under the EU’s auspices.

The United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), which has largely phased out day‑to‑day operations but remains involved in governance oversight, has called for a “smooth transition” to the new coalition, noting that any prolonged political impasse could derail Kosovo’s ongoing reforms aimed at meeting EU accession criteria.

6. What Comes Next?

As the Assembly convenes under the watchful eyes of the President and the international community, the key question is whether the new coalition can secure a parliamentary majority through the ILP or other small parties. If the Assembly rejects the coalition’s proposal, the 90‑day deadline will force a fresh election, potentially plunging the country back into a period of political gridlock.

In the interim, the interim government led by a caretaker Prime Minister—appointed by the AAK’s interim leadership—will oversee routine administrative functions. Both the AAK and opposition parties have pledged to work on a set of bipartisan reforms, including a new anti‑corruption strategy, infrastructure investments, and a plan to modernize the public sector.

The coming weeks will be pivotal for Kosovo’s political trajectory. The international community, especially the EU and neighboring Serbia, will likely intensify diplomatic engagement to ensure a stable transition that aligns with the broader goals of regional integration and security. For Kosovars, the outcome of the coalition negotiations will determine whether their new parliament can move beyond a period of deadlock and set the stage for a stable, democratic government that can address the country’s pressing economic and social challenges.