The Kosovo Assembly failed once again on Wednesday to complete its constitutive session and elect a new parliamentary speaker. The ruling Lëvizja Vetëvendosje (LVV) first proposed Albulena Haxhiu, who was unable to secure enough votes. Following this, Donika Gërvalla was nominated, but she also failed to gain the required majority.
Deputy Shqipe Mehmeti-Selimi did not participate in the vote for Gërvalla, citing that her abstention was not politically motivated but related to posts by Gërvalla criticizing Rexhep Selimi, whom she referred to as a figure associated with crime.
Emilja Rexhepi, deputy and leader of the Bosniak party NDS, emphasized that the Constitutional Court has instructed that all deputies must vote, pointing out that Mehmeti-Selimi did not vote, while another deputy, Duda Balje, voted against.
Rexhepi commented on the ongoing impasse:
“Until yesterday, we voted for Albulena and it didn’t work. LVV proposed Donika, but she didn’t pass either. The opposition and the two deputies, Shqipe and Duda, did not vote. We will see what happens today.”
She further criticized the lack of readiness among political actors to take responsibility and call elections, stating:
“Everyone is somehow playing, but no one is willing to make a decision and go to elections. All of this is unfortunate.”
Rexhepi called for institutional responsibility and respect for the Constitution, affirming her adherence to legal procedures:
“It does not matter to me whether we vote publicly or secretly. I respect the Constitution and there is no doubt about that.”
She stressed that the winning party has the right to nominate the candidate for the parliamentary vote, describing attempts by the opposition to influence candidate selection as “immature and absurd.”
Rexhepi concluded that the process opens the way for the formation of new institutions and potential coalitions:
“If you don’t have 61 votes, then we go to elections.”
