51st time's the charm? Kosovo MPs fail to elect speaker, constitute new parliament for 50th time

Kosovo MPs failed Monday to elect a speaker and constitute a new parliament for the fiftieth consecutive time, continuing a political stalemate months after they were voted into office.

The deadlock stems from the fact that outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s party Vetevendosje (VV), which topped February polls, did not win enough seats to have its choice for speaker installed.

“The session is adjourned; we resume on Wednesday,” said Avni Dehari, who is chairing the parliament temporarily as the oldest MP.

Several MPs attempted to take the floor but Dehari turned off their microphones.

Opposition parties have repeatedly voted against VV’s pick for the speaker, former justice minister Albulena Haxhiu, and have asked Kurti to change the candidate as she is seen as a divisive figure.

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But the caretaker prime minister has refused to compromise.

“Kosovo is a hostage of Albin Kurti,” said Vlora Citaku, general secretary of the previous legislature’s leading opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK).

Without the speaker, the parliament cannot be constituted, nor can a new government be elected leaving Kurti in the role of caretaker for more than five months.

Observers fear that the fractured political scene could result in a snap election if no government can be formed.

Under Kosovo’s legal framework, the inaugural session of parliament must be reconvened every 48 hours until a speaker is elected. There is no legal time limit for how long this can continue.

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Trying to end the stalemate, the Constitutional Court had ruled last month that the parliament inauguration deadlock should end within 30 days.

MPs must “fulfil their constitutional obligation for the constituting of the parliament of the Republic of Kosovo via the election of the parliamentary speaker and deputy speakers,” the court said.

The deadline expires on Saturday, but the parties have not made any progress in finding a compromise.

In protest against the failure to constitute the assembly, renowned lawyer Arianit Koci shaved his head at the entrance of the assembly.

“Our very statehood is being threatened. Friends and enemies are becoming convinced that we are not capable of maintaining a state,” he said.