The constitutive session of the Assembly was interrupted after the leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, requested additional time, as he said, for discussions on the president. When Kurti was invited by the chair of the session, Avni Dehari, to propose the name of his party for the speaker of the Assembly, he said that the constitution should not end with the dissolution of the Assembly and the holding of new elections. After this, Dehari interrupted the session and said that they would announce its continuation in due time. Previously, the Temporary Committee for the Verification of the Mandates of the Deputies was formed and the new Deputies were sworn in. The Assembly has time until tomorrow to constitute itself. You can read all the developments about the session in this text
Gashi: Let's constitute the Assembly, then let the talks continue for the Government and the president
Democratic League of Kosovo MP Arben Gashi has called for the constitution of the Assembly and for political talks to continue for the formation of the Government and the election of the president.
On Thursday, the leader of Vetëvendosje, Albin Kurti, who is negotiating with the LDK on the formation of institutions, requested additional time for negotiations. He did not propose a name for the speaker of parliament. The constitutional deadline for the constitution ends on Friday evening.
"There are only a few hours left until the end of the constitutional deadline for the constitution of the Assembly of the Republic. Kosovo must not enter an institutional vacuum, much less create a precedent that constitutional deadlines can be postponed indefinitely. The path is clear: let us elect the Speaker of the Assembly and constitute the highest representative institution of the country. Then, let the political talks continue, as foreseen by the Constitution - with the deadlines for the formation of the Government and, in due time, for the election of the President. The state is not built by dragging out decisions, but by respecting the Constitution. Today, responsibility, prudence and decision-making are required. Kosovo does not need new crises, but functional institutions and leadership that puts the interest of the Republic above any other interest," Gashi wrote on Facebook.
While other parties that were in opposition until now, the Democratic Party and the Alliance criticized the postponement, the LDK has not come out with a public stance.
Gender calls the current political situation a "coup d'état"
Ardian Gjini, chairman of the Alliance, has accused the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, of "usurping" power. He has called the current political situation in Kosovo a "coup d'état."
In a press conference, Gjini said that Kosovo now "has neither a president nor an acting president, neither a speaker of parliament nor a vice-president, neither a legal prime minister nor a legal acting prime minister, nor ministers."
"There is only one person who has usurped power in Kosovo," he said. "Today, without any logical reason, without any state-building reason, without any patriotic reason, we are once again entering an institutional crisis. There is no other name for this situation than an internal coup d'état, which is not carried out by military phalanxes, but by people who, in the most brutal way, exploit the fragile democratic legitimacy to usurp state institutions," he said.
Gjini reiterated AAK's requests for support in the formation of institutions. He said that requests related to American gas, energy, VAT and infrastructure projects have not received any response from Vetëvendosje.
Gjini has also stated that he would only accept a meeting with Kurti in front of the cameras.
According to him, Kosovo is already in serious constitutional violation.
He said that according to his information, Kurti is prepared not to call the session for the speaker of parliament until September. He said that it is regrettable if the LDK is part of this "scenario".
Gjini also accused VV of a lack of internal debate. He said that in this party there are now only "people who just wave their hands."
Today, incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti, at the constitutive session of the 11th legislature, requested more time to present the name of the candidate for speaker of parliament. He said that he is requesting this postponement due to negotiations on the formation of institutions with the Democratic League of Kosovo.
Cakolli: The deadline for the constitution of the Assembly ends tomorrow at midnight
Eugen Cakollli from the Democratic Institute of Kosovo stressed that neither today nor tomorrow is the constitutional last day for electing the President. He said that the 60-day deadline for this process is activated only the day after the constitution of the Assembly.
According to him, the only deadline that is coming to an end is the one for the constitution of the Assembly, which, as Cakolli said, ends tomorrow, at 23:59.
"Although the request for additional time and the interruption of the session do not constitute a procedural violation, they do not suspend or extend the constitutional deadline within which the Assembly must be constituted," Cakolli wrote in a Facebook post.
He stated that without the constitution being finalized, the procedure for electing the President will not begin at all.
"After the constitution, the parties will have a full 60 days for discussions, agreements and the election of the President. Therefore, it is meaningless to request "additional time for the President" by postponing the very process that activates that time," Cakolli wrote.
Kurti: Constituting the Assembly without an agreement on the president leads to elections
Photo: Driton Paçarada
Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has said that continuing the process of constituting the Assembly without an agreement on the issue of the president could make it difficult to reach an agreement with one of the parliamentary parties and practically lead to new elections.
In a press conference after the adjournment of the constitutive session, Kurti requested additional time to continue political discussions, saying that an agreement on the president would enable the full constitution of the institutions.
"Any constitution of the Assembly without an agreement on the issue of the president would practically be a preparation for the dissolution of the Assembly," Kurti declared.
He said that providing the opportunity for political dialogue is, in his opinion, the only way to reach a solution and avoid new elections.
Kurti emphasized that since the certification of the election results, they wanted to give space to discussions, as the opposition parties had requested after the December 28 elections.
"LDK suspended the talks due to internal problems and the next discussion the day before yesterday with the LDK leader showed that there was not enough time to reach an agreement. Given this situation, it is necessary to give the discussions a chance to continue before moving on to the constitution of the Assembly, which could make the potential agreement and the avoidance of the next elections more difficult," he said.
According to Kurti, once an agreement is reached on the president, the process of constituting the Assembly and creating institutions will continue.
"When we have an agreement, we will invite the continuation of the constitutive session. When we are assured that we have done everything to avoid going to another unnecessary election," Kurti declared.
He also called for talks with the PDK leader, Bedri Hamza, and the Alliance leader, Ardian Gjini. He added that talks with the LDK will continue.
The constitutive session was interrupted after the swearing-in of the deputies. The election of the speaker and deputy speakers remains. There is a deadline until midnight tomorrow.
Miftaraj: The country will not go to elections even if the Assembly is not constituted
Photo: Driton Paçarada
Ehat Miftaraj from the Kosovo Law Institute told Radio Free Europe that while the Assembly must be constituted within 30 days of the certification of the results, failure to do so "does not automatically produce legal consequences."
This means that we don't necessarily need to go to early elections.
According to him, this situation "delegitimizes everything," and if the president is not elected by October 5, the country will go to elections.
The Central Election Commission certified the results on July 8, 2026. The deadline began on July 9. This means that the Assembly has until midnight tomorrow to be constituted.
Zemaj: There may be positive movements within the day
LDK MP Armend Zemaj has left open the possibility that there could be progress in the presidential talks with the Vetëvendosje Movement on Thursday.
"I hope and believe that there may be some positive movement today, but it remains to be seen whether there is or not," he told the media.
Zemaj said that the LDK was "not even informed" of the request of the LVV leader to postpone the constitutive session, while criticizing Albin Kurti.
"The name proposal was expected because there is no debate in the constitutive session, but this is Albin Kurti, he knows how to debate, how to launch an electoral campaign, and how to ask for additional time, thinking that he is the one and only one above the Constitution and political will," he said.
He stressed that any extension of the constitutional deadline "puts us in a constitutional crisis."
Tahiri - Kurti: Did you give your husband 30 days for discussions?
Photo: Driton Paçarada
Alliance MP Besnik Tahiri has called the failure to constitute the Kosovo Assembly a tactic by the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, to gain time to take over the country's three key institutions.
Tahiri said that it makes no sense to ask for time when Kurti had 30 days to discuss with political parties about a possible agreement on the issue of the president. Tahiri also raised doubts about whether Kurti wants to create a case for the Constitutional Court in order to further delay the constitution of the Kosovo Assembly.
"You are witnessing an extreme trend, extremely harmful to Kosovo, of not constituting the Kosovo Assembly. The constitutional deadline has passed because today 30 days have passed and today, when the Assembly was supposed to be functional, today the president of the Vetëvendosje Movement comes out and tells the citizens we need time. But did you give the man 30 days to discuss with the political parties for a political agreement. If the intention was to get out of this two-year vicious circle, why did he not talk to the political parties about the president of Kosovo because the issue is with the president but he has neglected it until this day. Does Kurti want to create another case in the Constitutional Court to postpone the constitution yet again. This is a tactic to make some political bargain, to gain time and to take over all the institutions that do not actually belong to a political entity," said Tahiri.
Hamza: LVV is continuing its irresponsible behavior, abusing the position of chairman
Photo: Driton Paçarada
PDK Chairman Bedri Hamza has called the request of the Chairman of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, for additional time for talks on the president by postponing the constitutive session irresponsible.
Hamza said that LVV is showing a lack of seriousness.
"As you have noticed, this is a sign of a lack of seriousness and responsibility from the party that has won the largest number of seats. It is seen that irresponsible behavior in relation to institutions continues. A session is called almost on the last day in accordance with the Constitution to have the constitution, and in the end they come out and give political speeches, abuse the position of the chairman and instead of proposing a name, they postpone the proposal of the name of the chairman and the Assembly is not constituted. Kosovo continues with an institutional vacuum," said Hamza.
Asked about a meeting with Kurti, Hamza stressed that "we don't need to meet," adding that there was a lack of "a responsible offer."
Constituent session adjourned, Kurti requests additional time for presidential discussions
Photo: Driton Paçarada
The constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly has been interrupted after the acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, requested additional time to continue discussions with parliamentary parties regarding the election of the country's president.
In his speech, Kurti thanked the PDK leader, Bedri Hamza, and the LDK leader, Lumir Abdixhiku, for the meetings held, emphasizing that the Vetëvendosje Movement remains ready to hold talks with the PDK and the Alliance, despite the refusal of these parties so far. After the first meeting, Hamza of the PDK said that they no longer have anything to meet for because they have decided to be in opposition. And the talks with the LDK have been announced to continue.
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"We want talks with both the PDK and the Alliance, even though their refusal is clear. We want to move forward together, but we need the broadest possible agreement on the unifying president, as required by the constitutionality we swore an oath to today," Kurti declared in the Assembly.
He added that the constitution should not end with the dissolution of the Assembly and the holding of new elections, requesting additional time for discussions on the issue of the president.
"The constitution this time cannot once again lead to a dissolution of the Assembly and again premature and unreasonable elections, harmful to the economy. Therefore, the honorable chairman Avni Dehari, we request additional time to give a chance to political talks for an agreement for a new president or presidents," Kurti said.
After this, Dehari adjourned the session. The chairman said that he would inform the members in due course about its continuation.
The Assembly has until tomorrow to constitute itself.
The new members of the Assembly are sworn in
Photo: Driton Paçarada
The deputies of the 11th legislature of the Assembly of Kosovo took the oath today at the constitutive session, officially assuming their mandate as representatives of the people.
The Commission for Verification of Mandates is Formed
Photo: Driton Paçarada
Members of Parliament have voted to form a temporary committee for the verification of mandates.
The session went into a 30-minute recess to give the Commission time to prepare.
Next on the agenda is the swearing-in of the deputies, the election of the Speaker of the Assembly, and the election of the Deputy Speakers.
Tahiri: The Alliance will assist in the formation of institutions if our conditions are met
The Alliance's elected MP, Besnik Tahiri, said that the Alliance will assist in the formation of institutions.
He added that Kosovo does not have time and energy to waste on "political games and bargaining".
"Nothing has changed, what I can tell the citizens of Kosovo is very simple, we are in a constitutive session with a very long delay, the constitution of the Assembly should have taken place immediately after the certification of the results, there is no reason and no justification for this postponement. Kosovo has neither time nor energy to waste on political games and bargaining. What I can tell you is that the Alliance will assist in the constitution of Kosovo's institutions, but on the other hand we have a public political stance", said Tahiri./ EO
Gërvalla before the constitutive session: Today we aim to get out of the situation that voters do not like
Acting Deputy Prime Minister, Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, has said that she is optimistic that the new legislature will be "a legislature of great economic development, of deep reform in the field of justice, and of good developments for our country," reports Ekonomia Online.
Before the constitutive session of the Assembly, she said that today they will try to get out of a situation that no one likes.
"Good morning to everyone on this beautiful day for the democracy of our country. After good elections, democratic elections, parliamentary elections, today we will also go to elect, to constitute the Assembly and to try to get out of a situation that no one likes, least of all the voters, the citizens of the Republic of Kosovo. I am full of optimism that this legislature will be a legislature of great economic development, of deep reform in the field of justice, and of good developments for our country, for the citizens of our country, but also for all of us in general", said the acting Minister of Justice.
Balje: I have no reason to change my stance from last time
The elected Bosniak MP, Duda Balje, has made it clear that she will once again vote against the formation of institutions by the Vetevendosje Movement. She said that there has been no meeting between her and the Vetevendosje Movement, therefore there is no reason to change her position.
As for the president, Balje said that no party has yet requested talks with him.
"I haven't had a meeting. There has been no meeting between my party and Vetëvendosje. I have no reason to change my position from the last time. There is simply no trust between me and Vetëvendosje. We haven't spoken to any party about the president," she said.
Hamza: PDK's position remains the same, we do not prioritize the distribution of positions
PDK Chairman Bedri Hamza, before the start of the constitutive session, stated that there is no reason for today's session not to proceed smoothly.
"So if we talk about the session today, today is the session for the constitution of the assembly, where the speaker or speaker of the assembly, the vice-speakers are expected to be elected, the oath will be taken and this is the importance of the day, for today's session, I see no reason for the session not to go smoothly, not to be constituted, all the conditions are for the session to be constituted and for us to proceed further and normally the party with the largest number of seats, to carry out its duties, its responsibilities, to provide seats in institutions", he said.
He reiterated that PDK's position remains unchanged and that the priority is the program and policies, not the distribution of positions.
"No, the position of the Democratic Party of Kosovo is consistent, meaning we went to the meeting, we didn't have any, we didn't compete over who should be in what position. We competed and we sought the votes of the citizens of Kosovo with a program about the economy, about justice, about energy, about infrastructure, about membership, these were the topics," said Hamza.
Asked if there were any talks about institutional positions, Hamza replied curtly: "We haven't discussed anything at all."
Abdixhiku: We are getting closer to VV, but still have differences on the main issue
The leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lumir Abdixhiku, has stated that talks with the Vetëvendosje Movement on the formation of institutions are continuing, emphasizing that there are rapprochements on several topics, but not yet on the main issue, which is the president.
He said the goal is to avoid new elections, which he described as harmful to the country.
"We are trying to avoid new elections. It takes time, it takes effort. We are trying to keep all those we represent around a common solution. These processes are not easy. As long as we are trying, it means that we want to avoid new elections. Going to elections is the greatest damage that can be done to the Republic," Abdixhiku said.
According to him, meetings between the parties will continue in the coming days.
"I will be in continuous meetings. There are many rapprochements on many issues, but we still have distance on the main issue, which is democratic balance. The Assembly must be constituted, there is no reason not to constitute it. Since we are meeting, it is a good sign," said Abdixhiku.
LDK actors have expressed the party's stance on holding the position of president.
Haziri: Meetings will continue 24/7 for an agreement with LVV
The elected MP of the Democratic League of Kosovo, Lutfi Haziri, before the constitutive session of the Kosovo Assembly begins, spoke about the negotiations that this political entity is conducting with the Vetëvendosje Movement for a governing agreement.
Although three meetings have ended without an agreement, Haziri has stated that meetings will continue at any time and work will be done 24/7 to achieve such a thing.
"Life in Kosovo must be normalized, work must be done more aggressively, on a more developmental agenda that gives Kosovo opportunities. The meetings are open, they will continue at any time. There is no set schedule and we will work 24/7 to achieve this goal. In the end, it is political will," said Haziri.
Rexhepi signals that only the constitution of the Assembly will be voted on today
The elected MP and leader of the Nova Demokratska Stranka party, Emilja Rexhepi, announced before the start of the constitutive session that only the constitution of the Assembly is expected to be voted on today.
"We have an obligation to vote for Parliament, and to pave the way for forming a government. Today we vote for Parliament. I don't know about the others," she said.