Kosovo’s Assembly approved the new government led by Albin Kurti of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV) with 62 votes in favor, eight against and no abstentions, giving Kurti his fourth term as prime minister.
LVV holds 53 seats, while nine lawmakers from non-majority communities also supported the government. Eight represent non-Serb communities and one, Nenad Rašić, represents the Serb community.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Alliance did not attend the session. Eight of the nine Serb List lawmakers attended and voted against the government.
Kurti said he would continue the work of his previous government rather than introduce a new program. He said his new mandate would focus on citizens’ welfare, family protection, security and better living conditions.
Earlier in the day, the Assembly completed its constitution after electing deputy speakers from the LDK and minority communities. LDK lawmaker Kujtim Shala won 75 votes, while Serbian lawmaker Tanja Vujoviq and Bosniak lawmaker Emilija Rexhepi also secured deputy speaker positions.
The PDK challenged the process because the Assembly proceeded without electing its deputy speaker. PDK lawmaker Përparim Gruda said the party had temporarily suspended its nomination until the Constitutional Court clarifies the issue. The PDK also announced plans to refer the matter to the court.
Kurti, meanwhile, said LVV lawmakers would support the PDK candidate whenever the party nominates one.
The new government now faces another key political challenge: the election of Kosovo’s president. The 60-day deadline has already started. LVV and LDK have agreed to support Bekim Sejdiu, but six of LDK’s 18 lawmakers have said they will not back his candidacy.
If the Assembly fails to elect a president within the 60-day deadline, Kosovo will hold another round of extraordinary parliamentary elections.
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