Kosovo’s parliament failed to meet Thursday’s midnight deadline to choose a new president, creating a political standoff that may force another snap election. The ruling party couldn’t secure enough opposition support for their candidate, with only 66 of the required 80 lawmakers present for the vote.
PRISTINA – A midnight deadline came and went Thursday without Kosovo’s parliament selecting a new president, throwing the Balkan nation into another round of political turmoil that threatens to spark yet another emergency election.
The parliamentary assembly, which contains 120 seats, had until the end of Thursday to choose a head of state. However, Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s governing Vetevendosje party failed to secure sufficient support from opposition members for their presidential nominee.
While opposition groups have called for selecting a candidate with broader consensus, Kurti put forward Foreign Minister Glauk Konjufca for the position.
Parliamentary Speaker Albulena Haxhiu announced the session could not move forward due to insufficient attendance. “There is no quorum to continue this session… we cannot proceed with the vote,” Haxhiu stated, explaining that just 66 legislators showed up – falling short of the minimum 80 needed.
Should emergency elections be triggered, it would mark the third time Kosovo voters head to the polls in slightly more than 12 months. The country previously conducted a snap election on December 28 following the inability to establish a government after February 2025’s voting.
Both major opposition groups – the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo – are pushing for the president to authorize new elections.
Current President Vjosa Osmani, whose term continues for another month, is anticipated to announce next steps on Friday.
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