Kosovo’s new parliament remains without a Speaker as Lëvizja Vetëvendosje (VV) fails to secure enough votes for its nominee, Albulena Haxhiu, in the third round of the constitutive session. The continued impasse has raised constitutional concerns and revived a pivotal 2014 court ruling emphasizing the need for political consensus.
Despite formally nominating Haxhiu through MP Glauk Konjufca, Vetëvendosje has consistently fallen short of the required majority, securing only 57 votes, well below the 61 needed to elect the Speaker.
Opposition Pushback and Internal Fractures
The opposition – comprising PDK, LDK, AAK, and NISMA – has either voted against or abstained, citing Haxhiu as an unsuitable and polarizing figure for the post. Meanwhile, internal cracks appeared when Duda Balje, a key independent MP often seen as a swing vote, did not participate in the vote and later publicly confirmed her position in the opposition.
Speculation about a possible behind-the-scenes deal between Albin Kurti and Fatmir Limaj was effectively quashed when NISMA withheld its support, indicating that no formal agreement had been struck.
“You cannot elect a Speaker without building a parliamentary majority. The rules are clear, and so is the political reality,” one opposition MP told reporters.
Legal Framework Leaves No Room for Solo Acts
According to Article 11 of the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly of Kosovo (2022):
- The largest parliamentary group has the right to nominate a candidate for Speaker.
- The Speaker must be elected by a majority of all MPs in the constitutive session.
However, this right does not grant VV the ability to install a Speaker unilaterally.
The 2014 Constitutional Court ruling (Case No. KO119/14) reaffirms this, stating:
“It is the right and duty of all deputies to find a way to elect the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, in accordance with the Constitution and Assembly rules, to ensure a functional parliament.”
This means that without a wider agreement or coalition, Vetëvendosje cannot move forward — not without risking another constitutional crisis.
Clock Ticking on Institutional Functionality
With the next session scheduled within 48 hours, Kosovo faces the real risk of entering an institutional limbo. Failure to elect a Speaker not only stalls the formation of the full Assembly leadership but also delays the government formation process and the start of legislative work.
If the stalemate continues, the issue may return to the Constitutional Court, potentially setting the stage for another legal and political showdown.
