Kosovo Holds 3rd Parliamentary Election in 18 Months as Deadlock Delays EU Path
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 6
Kosovo Holds 3rd Parliamentary Election in 18 Months as Deadlock Delays EU Path
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Jun 6
Summary
Kosovo votes Sunday in its third parliamentary election in 18 months after parties missed a March deadline to agree on a successor to former President Vjosa Osmani.
The impasse centers on Parliament’s 80-vote threshold to appoint a president in the 120-seat chamber — a number neither Prime Minister Albin Kurti nor the opposition could secure.
Albin Kurti says rivals manufactured the crisis and is seeking another mandate, while the Democratic Party, Democratic League and Osmani accuse him of trying to dominate state institutions.
Analysts expect little change from the last vote, when Kurti’s Vetevendosje won more than 50%, raising the prospect that the stalemate will continue after this ballot.
The prolonged vacuum has already hurt Kosovo’s economy, delayed access to EU and other international funds, and drawn fresh pressure from Brussels for stable institutions.