Lawmakers in Kosovo have elected a new government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, following an early election in June. The vote took place Sunday in the small Balkan nation, which has been grappling with a prolonged political crisis.
Kurti's government gained the support of 62 lawmakers in the 120-member assembly. However, opposition members boycotted the session, alleging that Kurti violated post-election procedures. This boycott underscores the deep disagreements among key political players that have led to an impasse for over 18 months, a situation not resolved by two early ballots.
Further complicating the political landscape, lawmakers failed to elect deputy speakers for the assembly. Opposition parties had insisted that the election of these officials precede the vote on the new government.
The current crisis traces its roots back to an election in February 2025, when no single party secured enough votes to form a government. A subsequent early election in December 2025 resulted in Kurti forming a government, but a consensus could not be reached on the selection of a president. The Kosovar constitution requires a quorum of at least 80 lawmakers in the 120-member assembly to elect a president, a threshold that Kurti has not been able to meet.
Kurti's center-left Vetevendosje party, while again winning the most votes in the June election, saw its support diminish compared to previous results, reflecting growing voter disappointment and frustration.
Opposition parties have stated their intention to challenge the alleged procedural errors in the Constitutional Court. If the political deadlock persists, Kosovo could face yet another early election.
Kosovo, one of Europe's youngest and poorest countries, declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The nation, predominantly ethnic Albanian, achieved this following a 1998-99 war that concluded with a NATO bombing campaign forcing Serbian withdrawal.
The United States and most European Union countries recognize Kosovo's independence. However, Serbia and its allies, Russia and China, do not. Both Pristina and Belgrade have been urged by the EU to mend relations as a prerequisite for their respective membership bids.