Kosovo opposition challenges Kurti’s re-election as prime minister
In Kosovo, the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) has appealed to the Constitutional Court, demanding an assessment of the legality of the parliamentary vote that resulted in Albin Kurti being re-elected prime minister. As Balkan Insight reports, the appeal was filed three days after the vote on Kurti’s new government.
PDK’s claims against parliament
PDK stated that parliament was constituted in violation of the constitution and therefore cannot form constitutional institutions. This is the party’s second appeal to the Constitutional Court in two days: the previous day, it challenged the procedure for constituting parliament.
The party claims that the ruling Vetëvendosje movement violated the 30-day deadline for constituting parliament. PDK also believes that parliament cannot be considered constituted until all five deputy speakers have been elected. During the September 13 session, PDK withdrew its candidate for the post, while the other four deputy speakers were elected.
Kurti was re-elected prime minister at a session boycotted by opposition parties. His new government lineup was supported by 62 of 120 lawmakers, while eight lawmakers from the Belgrade-backed Serb List party voted against it.
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Sejdiu withdraws presidential candidacy
Kosovo’s presidential election has also faced a new complication. The sole candidate, Bekim Sejdiu, announced on the evening of September 14 that he was withdrawing his candidacy due to disagreements within the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
Kurti and LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku agreed on Sejdiu’s candidacy on August 31. However, six LDK lawmakers said they would not support him, meaning the potential vote would lack the required quorum. Sejdiu, a former Constitutional Court judge and diplomat, called on political parties to find a way out of the situation.
If parliament does not elect a new president within two months after parliament is constituted, Kosovo must hold new elections — the fourth in less than two months. Vetëvendosje stated that the opposition’s boycott is blocking the constitutional process and is aimed at repeat elections.
