Seven non-Serb minority deputies will back the formation of the new Assembly and a government led by Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), acting Minister of Local Government Administration Elbert Krasniqi announced today.
Speaking to media after registering as a member of the new legislature, Krasniqi, who also leads the New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo (IRDK), said that these deputies are committed to supporting the “Kurti 3” government.
“We support the Kurti government because Kurti won the elections and has the majority among Albanians. Some are trying to relativize the numbers, but 42.3% [of the vote for LVV] is significant—almost as much as all the others combined. For us, this is an important expression of the will of Kosovo’s citizens and must be respected,” said Krasniqi.
The group includes Elbert Krasniqi, Emilija Rexhepi from the New Democratic Party (NDS), Albert Kinolli from the United Roma Party, Rasim Demiri from the VAKAT coalition, and representatives from the Ashkali Party for Integration and the Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo (KDTP).
Other non-Serb minority deputies—Duda Balje (Social Democratic Union of Bosniaks of Kosovo), Adem Hoxha (Unique Gorani Party), and Veton Berisha (Egyptian Liberal Party)—hold three more seats. However, Berisha stated that he has not yet decided how he will vote, while Hoxha similarly said his support remains uncertain.
The votes of non-Serb minority deputies, who hold 10 out of the 20 guaranteed minority seats in the 120-member Assembly, could be crucial for the formation of the new legislature and government, especially as the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has announced it will not participate in the constitutive session.
Third Deputy Prime Minister for Minority Issues and Human Rights, and NDS leader Emilija Rexhepi, confirmed that the new Speaker of Parliament is expected to be elected on Tuesday, but declined to reveal the nominee, saying it is for Kurti to announce.
Rexhepi also emphasized that she was not approached by any opposition party regarding coalition talks, and representatives of the non-Serb group assured that they have faced no pressure not to support the Assembly’s formation or the LVV-led government.
LVV, with 48 seats, has the right to propose the next Speaker. The constitutive session, set for Tuesday, can only be completed once the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, and all MPs are sworn in. Electing the Speaker requires 61 votes—the same threshold needed later to confirm the new government.
However, Nenad Rašić, acting Minister for Communities and Returns, expressed doubt that the government could be elected on Tuesday, reflecting ongoing challenges for Kurti in securing enough support.
LVV has stated it prefers forming an executive with non-Serb minority parties but acknowledged it will likely need support from at least one other Albanian party. Both the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) have ruled out cooperation with LVV, while the Social Democratic Initiative (Nisma) has left the door open.
