The Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) is attempting for the second time to form Kosovo’s government — despite lacking the necessary votes in the Assembly.
On Tuesday, the party nominated its deputy leader, Glauk Konjufca, as its candidate for prime minister. Only hours later, President Vjosa Osmani formally mandated him to form the government. Konjufca appealed for opposition support but ruled out any coalition with them. Opposition parties have rejected the idea of giving VV a second chance to form a government.
President Osmani stressed that Konjufca’s nomination is a constitutional obligation.
“Article 95, paragraph 4 of the Constitution of Kosovo clearly stipulates that within ten days, the president must appoint another candidate if the first attempt fails. The Constitution does not grant the head of state any discretion not to do so,” Osmani said.
She added that her decision was guided by the interests of citizens and the need to restore institutional functionality.
“Citizens have already lost too much time due to the lack of functioning institutions. The final verdict lies with the 120 deputies of the Assembly. It is in the public interest to have functioning institutions and to approve crucial measures such as the budget extension, the state budget, and the EU Growth Plan, from which Kosovo stands to gain over €800 million, as well as the World Bank agreement worth around €100 million,” Osmani stated.
The VV’s General Council proposed Konjufca’s candidacy to avoid holding two rounds of elections within a few months. Party leader Albin Kurti said the nomination was made to ensure the state budget and growth plan move forward, urging the opposition to support these key measures.
Konjufca emphasized that VV is making a “maximum compromise” by proposing a government not led by Kurti, and that it is now up to the opposition to demonstrate willingness for cooperation.
He clarified that he does not seek a coalition with any opposition party but expects their votes to pass the state and RTK budgets.
“We risk missing the deadline for the EU Growth Plan — hundreds of millions of euros are at stake for Kosovo. The opposition’s cooperation is sought only for these matters, not for forming a long-term coalition government,” Konjufca said.
He now has 15 days to present his program and cabinet to the Assembly.
However, Kosovo’s opposition parties have made it clear they will not back Konjufca.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) stated that new elections are the only solution.
“The political reality is clear: no one has a majority to form a government within this legislature. Ignoring this fact will only deepen the crisis, prolong institutional uncertainty, and further damage the country’s stability,” the party’s statement read.
Lumir Abdixhiku, head of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), dismissed VV’s move as “political theater,” arguing that the party lacks the required votes.
“Tell the citizens that every Albanian party has already given its political verdict, officially submitted to the Presidency. That verdict is simple and clear — there is no majority. Why insist on these games that lack even minimal political dignity? Eight months of delay in Europe’s poorest state are already too many. Why add more? Clinging to power at any cost — even without legitimacy — cannot be the new political value of a generation that was supposed to bring hope,” Abdixhiku wrote.
Meanwhile, AAK leader Ramush Haradinaj said Osmani’s decision to mandate Konjufca without proof of a parliamentary majority represents a constitutional violation.
“The second nomination from VV is nothing more than an attempt to prolong their grip on power, in open contradiction to all constitutional and political norms. This farce must end immediately, and the country must go to snap elections,” Haradinaj said.
Similarly, the Social Democratic Initiative (Nisma) declared that the Assembly simply does not have a majority.
“It is now clear to everyone: there is no parliamentary majority. At the last meeting with the President, all political parties officially confirmed that the only solution is new elections,” the party stated.
However, the multi-ethnic parliamentary group expressed support for Konjufca’s nomination, emphasizing the urgency of forming a government and approving the national and municipal budgets — particularly for Prishtina, Gjilan, and Zubin Potok.
To be elected prime minister, Konjufca needs at least 61 votes out of 120 deputies.
If he fails to secure a majority, the country will head to new elections within 40 days, as required by the Constitution.
In the previous legislature, Glauk Konjufca served as Speaker of the Assembly of Kosovo.
