One week after the Constitutional Court ruling, political parties in the Kosovo Assembly have not indicated whether they will vote for a candidate from the Serbian List for the 5th Deputy Speaker position, stating that they are awaiting the full publication of the ruling. The court has not announced when the complete decision will be released.
Importance of the Full Ruling
Vullnet Bugaqku, researcher at the Democratic Institute of Kosovo (DIK), says the Constitutional Court’s finding on the non-constitution of the Assembly is significant, and the full ruling will clarify the way forward.
“The full decision will show whether the vote for deputy speakers will return as a package or how it should proceed…,” Bugaqku said.
Current Political Deadlock
At the end of August, after repeated failures, the Kosovo Assembly elected Dimal Basha as Speaker and three other deputy speakers, including Emilia Rexhepi from non-Serb minority communities. However, the election of the 5th Deputy Speaker, representing the Serbian community, remains blocked.
Former Court of Appeals President Hasan Shala noted that the court confirmed Emilia Rexhepi’s election, and the Assembly still needs to elect the 5th Deputy Speaker proposed by the Serbian List.
“Emilia Rexhepi is confirmed; what remains is the proposal from the Serbian List…,” Shala told RTV21.
Debates Around the Serbian List Candidate
While political parties have not yet signaled support or opposition, Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti stated that the 5th Deputy Speaker should be Nenad Rashiq. Legal experts explain that a regulation from the “Kurti 2” government grants the largest minority parliamentary group the exclusive right to propose the candidate.
Bugaqku and Shala warn that if the vote is not held in a package, it may allow the Serbian List to propose its candidate and cause a new blockade in the Assembly.
Consequences for MPs and the Assembly
Legal observers emphasize that the Constitutional Court should clarify the consequences for MPs regarding the non-constitution of the Assembly, as political parties have yet to find common ground to resolve the ongoing deadlock.
