Today, May 11, 2025, marks the 14th attempt by the members of the 9th legislature to form the Kosovo Assembly. The session, which began on April 15, 2025, remains ongoing, as the deputies have yet to elect the Assembly’s Speaker and Deputy Speakers.
Continued Struggle Over Assembly Formation
In the 10th continuation of the session, Avni Dehari, the oldest deputy in age, who is leading the consecutive constitutional session, proposed a secret voting method for the election of the Assembly Speaker. However, opposition parties have continuously rejected this proposal, arguing that rules cannot be changed mid-process.
Meanwhile, LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku, on May 6, 2025, suggested the creation of a transitional government as a way out of the ongoing institutional deadlock. This proposal was in response to Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti’s invitation for co-governance with LDK. The LDK, however, stated that cooperation with Vetevendosje is impossible at this point.
Abdixhiku proposed that this transitional government be limited in duration, running only until a new President is elected. However, Vetevendosje opposed the idea, considering it a step backward to the era of UNMIK rule.
Meanwhile, the PDK and AAK parties have favored a government coalition formed between the opposition parties from the previous mandate.
Constitutional and Political Impasse
On May 8, 2025, the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, was expected to call a meeting with party leaders to address the ongoing political crisis. Bekim Kupina, the media advisor to the President, announced that the President’s office would contact the parties soon to set a time for the inclusive meeting.
Albin Kurti of Vetevendosje has stated that there is currently no political or institutional crisis in Kosovo, despite the prolonged deadlock.
Key Legal Framework for the Assembly
The Constitution does not specify an exact timeframe for the formation of the Assembly following the certification of election results or the swearing-in of deputies. However, the new Assembly Rules of Procedure define that interruptions during the constitutive session cannot last longer than 48 hours.
Without the formation of the Assembly, the countdown for the new government cannot officially begin. Only once the Speaker and Deputy Speakers are elected can the President mandate the Prime Minister candidate, in consultation with the party holding the majority of seats, which in this case is Vetevendosje.
The Prime Ministerial candidate must present the government composition within 15 days, seeking approval from the Assembly. The government is considered formed if it receives a majority vote, or at least 61 votes.
If the government fails to pass on the first attempt, the President will nominate a new candidate within 10 days. If the government is still not approved after the second attempt, the President will call for early elections, which must be held no later than 40 days from the announcement.
If the Assembly is not formed within 60 days from the President’s mandate, the Assembly will be dissolved, according to the Kosovo Constitution.
