Kosovo’s Assembly elected a government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti on 13th September, by 62 votes in the 120-seat chamber – just one vote above the governing threshold and four fewer than the parliamentary majority supporting Kurti’s previous cabinet, elected in February. Opposition parties boycotted the vote or chose not to participate in the session.
The cabinet represents near-total political and personnel continuity. Kurti retained the outgoing ministerial structure, including Glauk Konjufca as First Deputy PM and Foreign Minister, Donika Gërvalla as Second Deputy PM and Justice Minister, Hekuran Murati as Finance Minister and Artane Rizvanolli as Economy Minister. Kurti has framed his new government’s mandate as the continuation of the work that was interrupted by the ongoing political uncertainties.
For the new cabinet, the immediate risk is constitutional rather than administrative. The main opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is challenging the Assembly’s vote and its failure to elect its nominee as deputy speaker. However, the government remains operational unless the Constitutional Court orders otherwise, with the Court yet to make a decision.
For businesses, the return of the same political leadership means existing contacts, policy files and regulatory priorities should continue with little to no disruption during the transition. However, the narrow majority may complicate legislation, international agreements and politically sensitive decisions.
Political uncertainty will persist until Kosovo’s next President is elected. Kurti’s ruling Vetëvendosje party and Lumir Abdixhiku, the leader of the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK leader), have agreed to support Bekim Sejdiu as their joint candidate. While the ruling bloc and LDK theoretically hold enough votes to secure Sejdiu’s nomination, dissent among LDK MPs puts the required parliamentary participation and voting threshold at risk. Another failure to elect the head of state could trigger yet another snap election – the fourth such vote in two years.
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