The formation of new institutions after the parliamentary elections held on February 9 does not seem to be on the horizon, even though only seven days remain until July 26 — the deadline set by the Constitutional Court requiring MPs to constitute the Assembly of Kosovo. One day before the continuation of the constitutive session, in the fiftieth attempt to elect the legislative bodies, there is no hope for a positive development, writes KosovaPress.
The failure to reach a political agreement between the chairman of Vetëvendosje, Albin Kurti — also acting Prime Minister — and the chairman of the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA), Fatmir Limaj, in a meeting held on Saturday, is expected to bring the same outcome in Monday’s session, according to political analysts. However, they believe that the messages from international allies and the uncertainty about what could happen after July 26 may push parliamentary parties to move from their positions and finally resolve the deadlock in the Assembly.
Five months after the February 9 parliamentary elections, Kosovo still lacks new institutions. The Assembly has failed to constitute, and political parties have not been able to reach a consensus on the election of the Speaker and the Assembly leadership.
Political analyst Magbule Shkodra told KosovaPress that VV’s insistence, as the first party in the February 9 elections, on Albulena Haxhiu as Speaker is blocking the country from exiting the political crisis.
However, she hopes that in the coming days before July 26, there could be positive developments, as she says, from Albin Kurti’s rigid stance on the Speaker position.
Last week, senior U.S. official Brendan Hanrahan visited Kosovo and met with representatives of parliamentary parties.
According to Shkodra, he — along with the growing voices of the diplomatic corps in Kosovo — could prompt the political parties to put an end to the political crisis.
On Saturday, the Assembly failed for the 49th time to constitute the ninth legislature. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court on June 26 issued a decision obligating MPs to constitute the ninth legislature by July 26, although it did not specify whether failure to do so would result in new elections.
In this context, legal expert Ardian Bajraktari told KosovaPress that this is the last moment for reflection and formation of institutions — especially after the Supreme Court ruling, which states that certified MPs cannot simultaneously hold executive positions.
Vetëvendosje, as the first-ranked party in the elections, has the right to propose the Speaker of the Assembly. However, their nominee, Albulena Haxhiu, has failed six times to secure the 61 votes needed to be elected. As a result, the chairperson of the constitutive session, VV MP Avni Dehari, decided that the election of the Speaker will be conducted through a secret ballot.
This move is being rejected by the parties that were previously in opposition. These parties are also refusing to vote for the verification committee, arguing that it is unconstitutional. /E. Zeqiri
