Experts on the work of the Assembly have differing opinions on whether the outgoing government can propose the budget law for a vote. University professor Mazllum Baraliu says the outgoing government can make such a proposal, while Eugen Cakolli from KDI is firm that the government cannot submit the budget law for voting.
On Thursday, the Assembly’s Presidency will hold a meeting to discuss the formation of working bodies or parliamentary committees, as well as the approval of municipal budgets for the municipalities of Prishtina, Gjilan, and Zubin Potok.
University professor Mazllum Baraliu says that the Assembly of Kosovo’s rules of procedure allow the formation of parliamentary committees, which he considers a prerequisite for starting legislative activities.
He believes that after this Presidency meeting, it should be followed by another session to approve the 2026 budget law.
“It is stipulated in the Assembly’s rules of procedure that permanent and functional parliamentary committees should be established, making this a key prerequisite for starting legislative work and other activities in the Assembly. The formation of parliamentary groups and committees is routine, primary, and important work. I believe this should be followed by another session that must be held to approve Kosovo’s 2026 budget law if a new government is not formed and elections are called,” he said.
Professor Baraliu also emphasized that the outgoing government can propose the budget law in the Assembly, and it is then up to the deputies whether to vote for it or not.
“The outgoing government is still a government, and it can submit the proposal. It is in the Assembly’s hands whether to approve it or not. The Assembly may choose not to approve it, but if it does, the decision and the approval of the 2026 budget law are fully valid, because the new government has no role in the Assembly committees,” he said.
However, unlike Baraliu, Eugen Cakolli from KDI says that under current circumstances, it is unacceptable for the outgoing government to bring the budget law to the Assembly. He argues that the formation of a new government is required first, which would then submit the law for approval in the Assembly.
“Although the Law on Government contains a provision allowing, at least in principle, the outgoing government to propose the Budget Law to the Assembly, I believe this is different from the current situation. First, the current government, which has no connection to the Assembly and the present legislature, cannot propose a budget law because it presupposes that the Assembly has all its internal bodies established, including committees. Second, it presupposes that the Assembly has already elected a new government. In the current situation, the first unavoidable step that requires the Assembly’s positive decision is the election of a new government. Under these circumstances, I believe it is entirely unacceptable, and the possibility of bringing a budget to the Assembly should not even be discussed. Even if justified by salaries or fiscal stability, this could be misused for electoral purposes. Therefore, the Assembly should not vote on any draft law submitted by a government elected by a previous legislature,” he said.
Outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti failed on Sunday to secure the 61 votes needed to start a new mandate in power.
