Thewesternbalkans.
On Sunday, Kosovo’s parliament approved Albin Kurti’s fourth government with 62 votes in favor and 8 against. Despite the formal restoration of institutional authority, the political crisis remains unresolved. The three main opposition parties—the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK)—boycotted the session; the PDK and AAK announced plans to challenge the constitutionality of the parliament’s formation, citing the fact that a deputy speaker from the PDK had not been elected. The LDK also questioned the government’s constitutionality.
Kosovo’s political crisis persists following the withdrawal of Bekim Sejdiu—the compromise presidential candidate—after internal rifts within the opposition LDK party derailed his nomination. Parliament has 60 days to elect a president; otherwise, it faces the risk of a fourth election within 18 months.
Thus, the new cabinet begins its work amidst an ongoing institutional dispute rather than with broad political consensus.
The composition of the new government largely retains the previous cabinet, signaling Kurti’s intention to continue the policies of his prior term rather than making significant personnel changes. Glauk Konjufca remains First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora; Donika Gërvalla – Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice; and Fikrim Damka – Third Deputy Prime Minister responsible for minorities and cooperation. Hekuran Murat remains at the helm of Finance; Ejup Maqedonci – Defense; Xhelal Sveçla – Interior; Artane Rizvanolli – Economy; and Nenad Rašić retains the Communities and Returns portfolio. The cabinet also includes the Ministers of Health (Arben Vitia), Education (Hajrulla Çeku), Infrastructure (Dimal Basha), Agriculture (Armend Muja), and Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade, and Innovation (Mimoza Kusari-Lila). The new cabinet comprises a total of 21 positions, including the Prime Minister; the retention of key figures underscores the aim to swiftly resume the government’s agenda.
Commentary: Tension is mounting in Kosovo, and this is a pivotal week that began on Saturday with the “Welcome Home” march—200,000 people from across Kosovo gathered in Pristina’s central square to support former President Hashim Thaçi and three other former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army. On Wednesday, September 16, the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office will deliver its first-instance verdict. If Thaçi is acquitted, many Kosovars expect him to return to Kosovo as president. It is unlikely (though not impossible) for Thaçi to return, as he is also facing trial for obstruction of justice (through witness intimidation), a case currently in the closing arguments phase. Furthermore, regardless of the trial’s outcome, an appeal is expected.
