Constitutional Deadline for Kosovo Assembly Expires: What Happens Next?

The constitutional deadline for establishing the Assembly of Kosovo expired at midnight, with the new parliamentary body failing to convene. Although the interim speaker, Avni Dehari, scheduled the continuation of the constitutive session for Saturday at 11 a.m., opposition parties and some legal experts argue this violates the Constitution and plan to challenge the decision in the Constitutional Court. This marks the first time since the adoption of the current Constitution that Kosovo has faced a deadline for forming its Assembly without completing the process.

“

No political agreement has been reached yet, and there is a drastic difference between the election results and LDK's demands.

Political negotiations between the Vetëvendosje movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) also failed to yield an agreement, despite a fourth meeting between their leaders, Albin Kurti and Lumir Abdixhiku. Kurti stated after the talks that a political agreement remained elusive, citing "drastic differences between the election results and LDK's demands." Abdixhiku described the two sides as "very, very far from any potential agreement."

The primary points of contention are the identity of Kosovo's future president and the order of political procedures. Kurti insists on reaching a political agreement on the next president before the Assembly's constitution, warning of potential institutional blockades and snap elections if this is not done. Vetëvendosje advocates for a non-partisan figure with broad political support. Meanwhile, LDK, the only opposition party negotiating with Vetëvendosje, maintains its right to propose the presidential candidate, with Vjosa Osmani remaining their choice.

“

The two sides are very, very far from any potential agreement.

A segment of legal experts and opposition parties contest Kurti's approach. They argue that the presidential issue should not be a prerequisite for the Assembly's constitution, as the 60-day deadline for electing a president only begins after the Assembly is formed. They also contend that Kurti, with minority community support, possesses a majority to elect the Assembly speaker and proceed with its constitution.

“

Vjosa Osmani remains our candidate for president.

In the final hours before the deadline, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), supported by other opposition parliamentary groups, requested an extraordinary session at 10:30 p.m. to constitutionally form the Assembly. AAK MP Besnik Tahiri accused Vetëvendosje of violating the constitutional order and attempting to shift responsibility to the opposition. However, the session did not take place, and the Assembly doors remained closed.

“

We are not asking for the position of prime minister, but for institutional balance.