The process of electing a new Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly remains stalled as five deputies from the ruling Vetëvendosje Movement (VV) have failed to secure the necessary majority to take the post.
Since the Constitutional Court’s ruling earlier this month, three sessions have been held, during which VV nominated Albulena Haxhiu, Donika Gërvalla, Hekuran Murati, Arbërie Nagavci, and Dimal Basha. None succeeded in obtaining the required votes.
The most recent vote, for Dimal Basha, drew particular attention after the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) had publicly pledged to support a candidate who had not served in Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s cabinet. Yet, when the time came, PDK abstained.
Explaining the move, PDK leader Memli Krasniqi said his party had requested a pause to consult further on Basha’s candidacy. VV, however, interpreted the abstention as proof that PDK’s real intention was to block the constitution of the Assembly, rather than object to specific nominees.
Today, Tuesday, the Assembly is set to reconvene at 11:00 AM, though VV has not announced a new candidate, nor has PDK clarified its strategy should another unexpected nomination arise.
Meanwhile, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has maintained that it will not support any candidate without a prior political agreement. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) has expressed willingness to vote in favor of Glauk Konjufca, Shqipe Selimi, or Saranda Bogujevci. The Nisma party, with its three deputies, has consistently abstained.
According to the Constitutional Court’s second ruling, issued on August 19, deputies are obliged to complete the constitution of the Assembly within 30 days. The ruling stipulates that:
- The vote for the Speaker must be open
- The same candidate cannot be proposed more than three times
- All deputies present must clearly express their stance with a yes, no, or abstain vote
With political parties entrenched in their positions and the constitutional deadline approaching, the question of who will emerge as the next candidate for Speaker remains wide open.
