Kosovo’s Constitutional Court blocks Albin Kurti, rules parliament not constituted

The Constitutional Court of Kosovo ruled Tuesday that the inaugural session of parliament, opened on April 15, remains incomplete. It ordered the process concluded within 12 days, citing the absence of a deputy speaker from the Serb community.

Why is this important: The decision is a direct setback for Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje movement. It prevents the formation of a new government until parliament is fully constituted and underscores persistent tensions over minority representation in Kosovo’s institutions.

Context: The ruling followed a complaint from the Serb List, Kosovo’s largest Serb party, arguing that Speaker Dimal Basha unlawfully declared parliament constituted without electing a Serb deputy speaker.

Earlier, on September 5, the Court imposed a temporary measure freezing parliamentary steps toward forming a new government until its final ruling.

Vetëvendosje criticized the measure as politically driven, while President Vjosa Osmani warned that blocking parliament over the issue could “seriously undermine the foundations upon which the state is built.” She insisted the constitution does not mandate a joint vote for the two deputy speaker positions reserved for minorities.

What’s next: The ruling now obliges parliament to resolve the stalemate before it can move forward with government formation.