Kosovo's parliament fails to elect president, risking new election

The 120-seat ‌assembly had until midnight to vote for a head of state, but Prime Minister Albin Kurti's ruling party, Vetevendosje, was unable to ‌bring opposition lawmakers on board and vote for its candidate. The ‌opposition parties have asked for a consensual candidate, but Kurti has nominated his foreign minister, Glauk Konjufca. Kosovo already held a snap election on December 28 ⁠after ​failing to form a government following the February 2025 poll.

Kosovo's parliament missed the ​deadline to elect a ​new president on ‌Thursday, plunging ​the country into a fresh political crisis that could trigger another snap election. The 120-seat ‌assembly had until midnight to vote for a head of state, but Prime Minister Albin Kurti's ruling party, Vetevendosje, was unable to ‌bring opposition lawmakers on board and vote for its candidate.

The ‌opposition parties have asked for a consensual candidate, but Kurti has nominated his foreign minister, Glauk Konjufca. "There is no quorum to continue this session... ⁠we ​cannot proceed with the ⁠vote," speaker of the parliament Albulena Haxhiu said, noting that only 66 ⁠lawmakers were present, well below the 80 required.

If a snap election is ​called, it would be the third parliamentary vote in just ⁠over a year. Kosovo already held a snap election on December 28 ⁠after ​failing to form a government following the February 2025 poll. The two largest opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo ⁠and the Democratic League of Kosovo, have urged the president to call ⁠fresh ⁠elections.

Outgoing President Vjosa Osmani, who has another month in office, is expected to outline the way ‌forward ‌on Friday.