Kosovo votes on June 7

Acting President Albulena Haxhiu has announced June 7 as the date for holding early parliamentary elections. Haxhiu's decision was made after a meeting with leaders and representatives of political parties, who said they are mobilized for the best possible result.

Kosovo citizens with the right to vote will head to the ballot boxes on June 7. On Thursday, the acting president, Albulena Haxhiu, set this date to organize early parliamentary elections, following the dissolution of the tenth legislature, which was done automatically since it failed to elect a new president within the constitutional deadline.

Haxhiu decreed the date for the elections, after meeting with representatives of political parties. It corresponds to the last Sunday within the 45-day interval when early elections can be organized.

"The elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo will be held on 07.06.2026", the first point of the decision states. "The Central Election Commission of the Republic of Kosovo is instructed to take all necessary actions for the organization and holding of the elections for the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in accordance with this decision and the legislation in force", the following point continues.

The CEC will not be in full composition during the organization of this process. This is because the Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) claims to have the third member in this institution, while the Democratic Party (PDK) claims the second.

Since the Constitutional Court refused to respond to former President Vjosa Osmani, Haxhiu has not made a decision regarding this dispute either.

According to the acting president, the incomplete composition of the CEC does not pose any problem for the work of the institution organizing the elections.

"Yesterday I heard that they said that the electoral process will be contested and so on because of one member, but I have informed you that I have two requests: the request of PDK and that of the Vetëvendosje! Movement to appoint their members, the last member in this commission. I have had an opinion on this issue before, political power, proportionality and representation are principles that no one should deny. Given that all deadlines have already passed, I think that a constitutional process initiated by President Osmani-Sadriu should have been concluded by her herself, but this has not happened and now all deadlines have passed. I am handling this issue and will act in accordance with my responsibilities, but be assured that with 10 members in the CEC, nothing is at risk, neither the certification of parties, nor the certification of the election result, nor anything else," said Haxhiu, after the meeting with representatives of political parties.

On Wednesday, PDK representatives called on Haxhiu to nominate the party's second proposal as the 11th member. 

However, Vetëvendosje is also aiming for this position, and has asked Haxhiu to be represented in the CEC with 3 members. 

In the previous composition, LVV had two members, PDK two, LDK one, AAK one, and other community parties one each.

And after the meeting with Haxhiu, party representatives also spoke about mobilization for the elections.
PDK Chairman Bedri Hamza stated that he does not rule out the possibility of including Fatmir Limaj's Social Democratic Initiative in the electoral list, but said that the competition will be held under the PDK logo. 

"The Democratic Party of Kosovo will go to the elections as the Democratic Party of Kosovo, within the PDK list there will certainly be innovations, as well as other names and figures," said Hamza. "We are prepared and ready to go to the elections."

Jehona Lushkau-Sadriu, a member of the leadership of the Democratic League (LDK), said that the new elections are an opportunity to offer the country a government that cares for its citizens. 

She said that this party has opened the doors for unity for all those who "have the traditional values ​​of the LDK," when asked about the possibility of Agim Veliu returning to the LDK.

"The LDK, with all its tradition, is a big house, it has opened the doors for the unity of all those who truly believe in the traditional values ​​of the Democratic League of Kosovo, and in this case the doors are open and I believe that we will all be united," said Lushaku. 

She complained about "mobilization to lynch the LDK."

"We have witnessed that last night at midnight there was a campaign against the LDK. Most likely, some exponents who are leading propaganda against the LDK have generated various posters in Serbian, have issued statements about resignation within the LDK... So far there is absolutely none", said Lushaku. "It is noticeable that there is a mobilization to lynch the LDK. Normally when there are positive movements, when ill-wishers notice that there is potential for the growth of a political party and that it could be a worthy opponent, they are set in motion to do such things".

The mayor of Gjakova, Ardian Gjini, has announced that he will lead the list of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) in the early elections and will simultaneously be this party's candidate for prime minister.

Ramush Haradinaj declared months ago that he will not run again for the position of AAK leader, and emphasized that Gjini will be the candidate for this position.

And, the man expected to lead the AAK list has said that the party's race will not be to reach the 5 percent electoral threshold.

"The alliance is getting ready for a battle and this battle is not about the threshold and nothing else. The battle is about giving Kosovo a normal government, a government that has soft words and serious, hard deeds. So far we have seen strong words and no deeds," said Gjini.

The parliament was dissolved on Wednesday after failing to elect a president within the constitutional deadline. The June 7 elections will be the third parliamentary elections in 16 months.