President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani has raised an alarm, warning that if a budget extension for the first three months of 2026 is not approved, public sector workers may be left without salaries. She expressed concern that, in the absence of both a budget extension and a new budget for next year, citizens could be left without food on the table and without medicine in hospitals. The head of state appealed to members of parliament to act in the interest of the citizens and the state, noting that throughout 2025, they had failed to take any action.

Kosovo still has not formed a new government, even though elections were held on February 9. Albin Kurti, as leader of the party that won the most votes, Vetëvendosje, failed in his first attempt to form a government. The party will now make a second attempt, nominating Glauk Konjufca, its deputy chairman, as the new candidate for prime minister.

The caretaker government has approved the draft budget for 2026, but it has not yet sent it to the Assembly, amid doubts about whether deputies of the ninth legislature have the authority to pass a budget proposed by a government elected by the previous legislature.

President Osmani, stressing the need to make the Assembly functional, said that in her meetings with political party leaders she raised several issues — the RTK (Kosovo’s public broadcaster) budget, the EU Growth Plan for Kosovo, and the ratification of an international agreement with the World Bank. According to her, Kosovo risks losing over €1 billion if these agreements are not ratified.

“Besides the salaries at RTK, as you know, I also raised the issue of the Growth Plan, which is over €800 million. The issue of agreements with the World Bank — until the end of December it’s €100 million, but there are over €200 million more at the start of next year that could be lost if not ratified. So, we are talking about over €1 billion that Kosovo must not lose but should secure for the benefit of its citizens.
I also talked about the budget extension, which can be done by an Assembly decision if there are delays in forming institutions and if the second mandate fails. This matter belongs to the political parties, not to me as president.
Let’s make sure that no one goes without salaries by the end of March, that people are not left without food on the table, and that hospitals are not left without medicines. These are essential issues for the lives of our citizens, and I expect reflection from the political parties. Everything is ready in terms of documentation — all that’s needed is political will,” Osmani said.

However, she added that she has not yet received any response from parliamentary parties on these issues.

“I have expressed full willingness that if opposition parties don’t want to accept a legislative initiative from the government, I can do it myself — but there needs to be readiness from parliamentary parties to vote on it in the Assembly.
So far, I have not received any response from the parties represented in the Assembly on whether they are willing to vote for it. I think this is both necessary and easily achievable as a decision. I am ready to send the request to the Assembly as early as tomorrow. These issues can be solved through an initiative by the deputies themselves,” she emphasized.

She also criticized the members of parliament, saying they have done nothing throughout 2025 and urged them to make decisions in the interest of the state and citizens.

“I also encourage you, the media, to put positive pressure on political parties so that these decisions are taken by the representatives of this Assembly, who were elected on February 9 this year but have yet to decide anything. Let them at least make some decisions in the interest of the citizens and the state, since the year has already passed,” Osmani added.

Meanwhile, regarding Glauk Konjufca, the designated candidate for prime minister, Osmani said he is still within the constitutional deadline to convene a session for a vote of confidence in the Assembly.

“The second nominee for prime minister is still within the constitutional timeframe, and it will depend on the deputies and the Assembly presidency when the session is called. The session must be held within the constitutional deadline, and only a few days remain. I hope it happens as soon as possible so that we can see the outcome, but I cannot prejudge,” Osmani stated.

She made these comments following her participation in a forum organized by EULEX in cooperation with the Association of Women in the Kosovo Police, titled “From Resolution to Action: 25 Years of Women Transforming Peace and Security in Kosovo.”