Albin Kurti takes first step toward breaking parliamentary deadlock, invites opposition to talks

Kosovo’s caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti has made his first concrete move to resolve the ongoing parliamentary stalemate, after his party, Vetëvendosje, failed eight consecutive times to secure enough votes to elect its candidate Albulena Haxhiu as Speaker of Parliament.

Why this is important: The deadlock has left Kosovo without a functioning parliament or new government since the February 9 elections. Kurti’s outreach to opposition leaders represents a potential turning point in unblocking the political process, though it remains uncertain whether the parties will reach consensus ahead of the next scheduled vote.

Context: On Wednesday, Kurti sent a formal letter to Lumir Abdixhiku of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and Memli Krasniqi of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), inviting them to a consultation meeting aimed at facilitating the election of the new parliamentary leadership. The letter highlights the need to elect the presidency of the Assembly, including the Speaker, in accordance with Kosovo’s Constitution and parliamentary rules.

The meeting is scheduled for Thursday morning at 08:30 in the N-204 chamber of the Assembly, just ahead of the next planned vote.

So far, Kurti’s Vetëvendosje has been unable to muster the required 61 votes in the 120-member Assembly. Albulena Haxhiu, the party’s proposed candidate and a former justice minister, has consistently fallen short with only 57 votes in support. Both the PDK and LDK have rejected her candidacy, labeling her a divisive figure and urging Kurti’s party to propose a consensus candidate instead.

Vetëvendosje, which won 48 seats in the February elections, has until now stood firmly behind Haxhiu and resisted calls to offer an alternative nominee.

What’s next: Whether tomorrow’s meeting leads to a breakthrough remains to be seen. If no agreement is reached and the deadlock continues, political actors have not ruled out the possibility of returning to the polls. In the meantime, despite their limited legislative activity, newly elected MPs are already drawing salaries, even as parliament remains effectively non-functional.