The Assembly of Kosovo today elected the new Speaker, Dimal Basha, and four Deputy Speakers, but the constitutive process cannot be considered complete, as the Deputy Speaker from the Serb community has not yet been elected.
This marks the 58th attempt to constitute the new legislature, which was partially successful.
Dimal Basha was elected Speaker with votes from his party, Vetëvendosje, and the two other major Albanian parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). His election was not well received by PDK and AAK, which, along with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), criticized Basha, questioning his suitability for the position.
Albulena Haxhiu, Vlora Çitaku, and Kujtim Shala were elected Deputy Speakers in a package vote. The non-Serb Deputy Speaker, Emilija Redzepi, will rotate later with Fidan Jilltan and Artan Asllanin. However, the vote for the Serb Deputy Speaker was blocked. Sllavko Simiq, the Serb List candidate, failed to secure the required 61 votes.
In his first speech after the election, Dimal Basha emphasized the importance of unity and the sacrifices behind building Kosovo:
“I feel the responsibility for your trust and will also take a moment to thank Avni Dehari and Sala Jashari for holding these sessions. I feel the great responsibility entrusted to me. This country is the heart of our democracy, where the voice of all our citizens is represented. Our Republic was built on sacrifices, because freedom and statehood are greater than any individual interest,” Basha said.
He added that defending Kosovo is the duty of everyone, both government and opposition, stressing the importance of cooperation among parties:
“I call for cooperation. It is time to show that, despite political differences, we have the courage and wisdom to work together for the highest interest of our country.” He also addressed Serbia, calling for recognition of Kosovo’s independence.
The process for the Serb Deputy Speaker was suspended, and the Assembly will reconvene on Thursday at 11:00 to discuss potential candidates. Neither Verica Çeraniq, Stefan Kovačeviq, nor Nenad Rashiq managed to secure the required votes.
PDK leader Memli Krasniqi criticized Basha’s election, noting that neither Vetëvendosje nor citizens are satisfied with the decision. “You saw the long faces,” he said, referring to VV deputies.
LDK leader Lumir Abidixhiku described PDK and AAK’s vote for Basha as a “gross mistake” and warned of a potential constitutional crisis over the non-election of the Serb Deputy Speaker:
“I feel it’s a gross mistake that the two former opposition parties, PDK and AAK, gave such a name to Kosovo’s institutions. Nevertheless, this is the will of 73 majority deputies; LDK respects this will but cannot be happy with the quality of the people representing these institutions.”
AAK deputy Daut Haradinaj said he voted for Basha considering him a serious candidate but raised concerns about the Deputy Speaker challenge:
“I asked, ‘Are you serious?’ They said yes, I voted and wished them success. This is Kosovo’s reality, and we cannot leave it like this indefinitely. Now let’s see the next challenge with the Deputy Speakers.”
Social Democratic Initiative leader Fatmir Limaj called on VV to explain delays in electing the Speaker:
“Let them explain why the country has been delayed until now for months. I hope they provide an explanation to the citizens of Kosovo for these delays.”
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani welcomed the beginning of the unblocking of the Assembly’s constitutive process and expressed hope that it will conclude soon, in accordance with the Constitution:
“She wishes the new Speaker Dimal Basha and the elected Deputy Speakers, Albulena Haxhiu, Vlora Çitaku, Kujtim Shala, and Emilija Redzepi, success in their work in the interest of the country,” the Presidency’s Facebook post stated.
She also hopes the Assembly will soon, and in accordance with constitutional procedures, vote for the new government, reflecting the will of citizens in the February 9 elections.
Germany’s ambassador to Kosovo, Jorn Rohde, expressed concern about the political situation, emphasizing that the lack of institutional solutions is harming Kosovo and jeopardizing external funding.
“I had some hope this morning that the crisis would be overcome, but for now it does not seem so. Perhaps because there is insufficient political will among the main actors to find a solution,” Rohde said outside the Assembly building.
The UK ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, urged political parties to take steps quickly to constitute the Assembly and form a new government.
He welcomed the election of Speaker Dimal Basha but noted that the full constitution of the Assembly is stalled at the election of the non-Serb Deputy Speaker, and the session was postponed until Thursday:
“The election of the Speaker is a welcome progress and shows that political compromise in the interest of the country is possible if there is will. I call on political parties in Kosovo to take the next steps as soon as possible to complete the formation of the Assembly and the new government,” Hargreaves wrote on Facebook.
Dimal Basha was elected Speaker after months of gridlock in the Assembly, receiving 73 votes and support from PDK and AAK, while NISMA continued to abstain with its three deputies.
