On Friday, October 10, Kosovo formed its new parliament after months of political deadlock, but the country’s interim leader faces another uphill battle as he struggles to secure support from a bitterly divided political class.
Lawmakers in the tiny Balkan nation selected a deputy speaker, taking another step toward forming a new government after indecisive elections in February.
Parliamentary Speaker Dimal Basha declared in the capital of Pristina:
The parliament has been constituted.
But for Kosovo’s interim Prime Minister Albin Kurti, whose Vetevendosje party (VV) lacks a governing majority, the path to re–election could still be fraught with challenges. Despite topping the polls, his party has spent eight months cajoling a deeply divided parliament into electing a speaker and deputy speaker.
It must now cobble together enough support to form a government. However, the largest opposition parties have repeatedly ruled out joining a coalition with Kurti’s party, which holds 48 seats—13 short of a majority.
Lumir Abdixhiku, leader of one of the largest opposition groups, told reporters that
the path to forming a government has been opened, while we invite VV to prove that it has the votes for this.
