The 47th constituent session of the Kosovo Assembly is scheduled to resume tomorrow, but a breakthrough remains unlikely. The largest coalition, consisting of Vetëvendosje, Guxo, and Alternativa, along with other major parties, have not shifted from their entrenched positions, leading to a prolonged institutional deadlock.
The Vetëvendosje, Guxo, and Alternativa coalition has thus far failed to secure enough votes for their proposed Speaker, Albulena Haxhiu. In light of this, they have suggested transitioning the vote from open to secret. However, the creation of a commission to enable a secret ballot is not supported by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), or the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). This issue has even been referred to the Constitutional Court, which issued a ruling that is being interpreted differently by the various political entities.
Constitutional Court Ruling and Party Stances
The Constitutional Court’s decision stipulates that the ninth legislature has one month to be constituted, including the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers.
PDK and AAK have urged Vetëvendosje to change its candidate for Speaker, arguing that the proposed individual has acted against the state’s interests. LDK, for its part, has stated it will not vote for any candidate. These parties also contend that the Vetëvendosje, Guxo, and Alternativa coalition lacks the votes to form a government, emphasizing the need for a broader political agreement. Vetëvendosje, however, insists that this must be tested by first constituting the Assembly.
Both PDK and LDK have again approached the Constitutional Court, seeking clarification on whether recent sessions have violated the Constitution. Additionally, President Vjosa Osmani has indicated that she will soon send a request to the Constitutional Court regarding the measures to be taken if the Assembly is not constituted within the one-month deadline.
AAK Reiterates Stance on “Anti-Constitutional” Commission
Time Kadrijaj, a Member of Parliament from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), commented on tomorrow’s constituent session, demanding full adherence to the Constitution and the Assembly’s rules of procedure.
Speaking to KosovaPress, Kadrijaj stressed that AAK MPs will not vote for a commission that is “anti-constitutional” and lacks the necessary majority of votes.
“We will continuously demand a return to the Constitutional Court’s decision, a return to the agenda determined by the Assembly’s regulations and the laws of Kosovo. We will not vote for a commission that lacks votes and is unconstitutional,” Kadrijaj emphasized.
She reiterated that AAK had referred this matter to the Constitutional Court, and while a verdict was reached, she claims it is not being respected by acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Vetëvendosje. “Precisely on this issue, we sent the case to the Constitutional Court, we received a verdict which Mr. Kurti, LVV, are not respecting. And Albin Kurti cannot force us in some way to equalize and for us to also be violators of the Constitution, just as Albin Kurti and LVV are acting,” said Kadrijaj.
Parliamentary elections were held on February 9. The first meeting for the constitution of the new Assembly took place on April 15. Since that date, continuations of the constituent session have been held every 48 hours without achieving any concrete result.
