Kosovo Plunged Into Turmoil As Lawmakers Reject New Kurti Government

"Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed to secure enough support in Kosovo's parliament to form a new government, plunging the country further into political chaos and bringing it closer to its second elections this year. Only 56 parliamentary deputies voted in favor of Kurti's proposed administration on October 26, five short of the number needed for approval. Fifty-two voted against the government and four abstained."

"That impasse was broken earlier this month, but discord between parties has made it impossible to form a government at a time when the country is looking to make progress on its path to European Union membership. Parliamentary speaker Dimal Basha said that the responsibility for what happens next moves to President Vjosa Osmani. According to the constitution, Osmani must appoint a second prime minister-designate within 10 days."

""This result is a direct consequence of the lack of political dialogue and the failure to reach agreements that would enable the normal functioning of the country's institutions," the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI), a nongovernmental organization that promotes democratic governance and transparency, said on social media. "Under these circumstances, early parliamentary elections represent the most sustainable and credible option to end this crisis and restore to citizens the opportunity to determine the political direction of the country.""

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti did not obtain the necessary parliamentary votes to form a new government, receiving 56 votes—five short of the required majority—while 52 deputies opposed and four abstained. Political paralysis has persisted since inconclusive February elections, and multiple attempts to convene parliament were blocked by stalemate. Recent efforts briefly broke the impasse but party discord has continued, preventing government formation and hindering progress on the European Union accession path. Parliamentary speaker Dimal Basha said responsibility moves to President Vjosa Osmani, who must appoint a second prime minister-designate within 10 days. Opposition leaders and the Kosovo Democratic Institute urged immediate early elections.

Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty