Kosovo will hold early elections due to inability to form a government
Kosovo is preparing for extraordinary elections on December 28, as local political parties failed to create a ruling coalition after the elections in February. This will be the seventh election in the country since independence was declared in 2008.
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani announced the dissolution of parliament after the constitutional deadline of November 19 passed without an agreement on forming a government. The winner of the February elections was the “Self-determination” (Vetëvendosje) party of Prime Minister Albin Kurti, but it did not secure the necessary 61 seats to form a majority.
Parties tried to reach agreements, but the opposition refused any cooperation with Kurti, leading to a halt in the government formation process. Deputy Foreign Minister Lisa Gashi stated that the opposition blocked the majority’s will and hindered the country’s progress.
President Osmani warned that new elections will delay funding from the European Union and creditors, which is needed for the country’s stability. She mentioned that over one billion euros will now remain frozen until political disputes are resolved.
Opposition parties criticize Kurti for his approaches to relations with Western allies and his actions in the ethnically divided north of Kosovo, where the Serbian minority resides. However, negotiations did not lead to any result, leaving the country in a state of uncertainty.
