Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani has commented on the ongoing political stalemate and institutional crisis, announcing that she has submitted a request to the Constitutional Court for an interim measure to suspend the 30-day deadline for the Assembly’s constitution.
Preventing Constitutional Violations
During a press conference, Osmani emphasized that this request aims to prevent a violation of the Constitution by deputies in the event of the Assembly being constituted after the constitutional deadline, or if a government is formed unlawfully.
“We have submitted a request for an interim measure; this prevents the violation of the Constitution by the deputies. The constitution of the Assembly after the deadline could be contrary to the Constitution, as could the creation of a government under these circumstances,” Osmani declared.
According to her, without the suspension of the deadline through this interim measure, an “irreparable” damage cannot be prevented. “Without this deadline being suspended, without requesting an interim measure, we cannot prevent this irreparable damage. Therefore, we are convinced that this request is in the public interest,” she added.
Urgency and Ongoing Deadlock
The President stated that there is no set timeframe for when the Constitutional Court will issue a decision on this matter, but she underscored the urgency and importance of the request for preserving the country’s constitutional order. “I don’t know how long it may take the Constitutional Court to decide on all points of this request, but considering how the constitutional order of our country is being jeopardized, this issue is of high importance,” Osmani concluded.
The Constitutional Court of Kosovo has obligated deputies to constitute the legislative body by July 26. On July 21, deputies failed for the 50th time to constitute the Kosovo Assembly. The parties that were in opposition during the last mandate are opposing the change in the voting method for the Speaker from open to closed ballot. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) have described LVV’s nominee for Speaker, Albulena Haxhiu, as a divisive figure. Meanwhile, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) has stated that it will not vote for any candidate proposed by LVV for Speaker.
