Kosovo

Despite a Constitutional Court ruling, and after months of deadlock, Kosovo MPs failed to elect a speaker and constitute a new parliament again, as two candidates from the biggest party did not get enough support.

Kosovo’s Constitutional Court on Friday gave MPs another 30 days to elect a speaker and constitute a parliament, but changed the terms for candidacies for the speaker’s post after months of political deadlock.

Pristina court sentences Milos Antovic to nearly five years' jail and a 20,000-euro fine for participating in violent clashes in May 2023 that left 93 NATO peacekeeping troops injured.

Kosovo MPs failed for the 52nd time on Friday to constitute the country’s parliament, with a Constitutional Court deadline to do so expiring on Saturday – and the possibility of new elections looming.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani on Tuesday said she had asked the country’s Constitutional Court to review the consequences of MPs’ failure to constitute parliament within a 30-day deadline set by the court.

Kosovo Serbs gathered on Monday in front of the office of the Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista party in North Mitrovica to sign a petition against the construction of two new bridges over the Iber/Ibar river. … The two bridges will connect the northern Serb-majority part of Mitrovica with the southern Albanian-majority part.

Outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti called a meeting of political party leaders after the Constitutional Court ordered MPs to end their long-running deadlock and inaugurate a new parliament within 30 days. 

As MPs failed for a 20th time to elect a speaker and inaugurate a new parliament, over 50 civil society organisations issued a joint warning that that 'the functioning of the entire democratic system' was at risk.

On visits to Belgrade and Pristina, High Representative Kaja Kallas warned the two countries that normalising relations 'is the only path to a safe and prosperous future' – and the EU needs to see 'actions', not just words. 

President Vjosa Osmani held a meeting with Kosovo’s four main political parties on Thursday after MPs failed to inaugurate a new parliament for the 16th time in a row, but no progress was made towards finding a solution.