PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani dissolved Parliament on Friday, triggering snap elections after lawmakers failed to elect a new head of state by a constitutional deadline. The dissolution plunges the Balkan nation into further political uncertainty, marking the third election in just over a year.
The assembly failed to elect a new president late Thursday, falling short of the required 80 votes in the 120-member body. The deadline for a replacement for Osmani, who assumed office in 2021, was midnight Thursday, according to the constitution.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) party has blamed the opposition’s boycott for the failure to reach a quorum. Kurti’s party has appealed to the Constitutional Court to temporarily suspend the deadline, hoping to resume the process, but a ruling has not yet been issued.
Osmani, addressing the nation Friday, described the situation as “completely avoidable,” asserting that lawmakers had ample opportunity to fulfill their constitutional duty. “It is a great misfortune for this state that they did not choose the interests of the Republic of Kosovo,” she stated. “I have issued the decree for the dissolution of the assembly, and through this decree I am fulfilling the constitutional obligation that is clearly defined.”
Vetevendosje secured a decisive victory in the December snap election and subsequently formed a government in February with the support of ethnic minority groups. However, the party previously won an election in February 2025 but was unable to secure a parliamentary majority, leading to the earlier snap vote in December.
The political deadlock follows a pattern of instability in Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a 1998-99 war that ended with a U.S.-led NATO intervention. Serbia continues to not recognize Kosovo’s independence, and tensions between the two remain a persistent issue.
President Osmani is scheduled to meet with leaders of political parties to determine a date for the new elections, according to reports. The timing of the election remains uncertain as the Constitutional Court considers the request to suspend the process.
