Following the failure of Kosovo’s newly elected parliament to elect a new Speaker after two voting attempts, Deputy Prime Minister Donika Gërvalla, now also a sworn-in MP, issued a strong statement declaring that “the state is not blackmailable.”
Despite efforts by the Vetevendosje-led coalition, candidate Albulena Haxhiu received only 57 of the 61 votes required, leading to a stall in the process of constituting Kosovo’s new government.
“Today we overcame the first blockade from the opposition and took our oath as MPs,” Gërvalla wrote on social media. “We will continue our principled and far from easy battle to consolidate the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo on Monday.”
Opposition Obstruction or Coalition Weakness?
The vote failure has exposed the fragility of the current majority, with Vetevendosje unable to secure just four additional votes needed to move forward. The Parliament’s failure to elect a Speaker also stalls the next constitutional steps—forming the government and electing the Prime Minister.
In her statement, Gërvalla reaffirmed her bloc’s determination to proceed:
“The state is not to be blackmailed. We will move forward with institutional consolidation in line with the will of the people expressed on February 9,” she emphasized.
Political parties are now facing increased pressure to either strike new alliances or prepare for further political deadlock, with Monday’s session seen as critical.
