Failure to form institutions in Kosovo: Who suffers, and who benefits?

The 31st attempt to constitute the Kosovo parliament has once again yielded no results—just the same old arithmetic: the Self-Determination Movement (The Self-Determination Movement) lacks a majority, while the opposition lacks the will to resolve the institutional crisis. Politicians, analysts, and even ambassadors in Priština all agree that the ongoing deadlock serves no one’s interest and must be resolved as soon as possible. Everyone speaks of consequences. Economists warn that the economy is already suffering, while protests on the streets of Priština are just one piece of that larger puzzle. In this political vacuum, everyone loses—especially ordinary citizens, according to Kosovo Online’s interlocutors.

Written by: Djordje Barovic

“Everyone suffers, but the people most of all. That’s clear,” one resident of Priština told Kosovo Online reporters when asked who bears the brunt of the institutional paralysis.  

Similar sentiments were echoed by other citizens—frustrated that the political crisis has dragged on for more than four months.

The Kosovo Business Alliance has warned that the economic climate is steadily worsening, citing a World Bank report that downgraded Kosovo’s economic growth forecast, signaling a bleak outlook and new challenges to macroeconomic stability.

Meanwhile, others have taken to the streets. Representatives of approximately 1,300 businesses are demanding that the caretaker government and the Energy Regulatory Office delay the decision to liberalize the electricity market.

President of the Hotel and Tourism Chamber, Hisen Sogojeva, warned of the potential radicalization of business protests if the decision is not reversed.

“We would prefer not to hold these protests, and it would be wise for the government to reflect and put a stop to them,” Sogojeva said.

Mutual Accusations

Sogojeva’s appeal is directed at a caretaker government—because no new one has yet been formed.

Representatives of political parties continue to trade accusations over who is to blame for the failure to constitute the Kosovo parliament after more than 30 sessions, and by extension, for the failure to form a new government.

After yet another failed attempt to form the Assembly, Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Memli Krasniqi declared that all limits of rationality had been crossed.

“We have now crossed every line of reason. This is no longer politics—it’s an attempt to hold the will of Kosovo’s citizens hostage,” Krasniqi said.

Kosovo’s caretaker Interior Minister Xhelal Sveçla insists the blame lies with the opposition's obstructionism.

Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku countered that Kosovo is in a state of emergency, proposing a government of national unity as a way forward.

His party colleague, Artan Behrami, explained that Kurti has “40 options” to break the political deadlock but is simply unwilling to compromise.

One of those “options” was mentioned by NISMA leader Fatmir Limaj, who claimed he had reached a gentleman’s verbal agreement with Kurti to become the new Speaker of Parliament in exchange for votes.

“We had a verbal, gentleman’s agreement. We agreed that all that remained was for him to consult his partners and I would speak to my party organs. There was no written agreement,” Limaj stated.

The next day, during the constitutive session, The Self-Determination Movement proposed once again that caretaker Minister Albulena Haxhiu be appointed Speaker of Parliament.

It was Haxhiu herself who further complicated Kosovo’s political tangle. She claimed that The Self-Determination Movement actually has enough votes to form a new “Kurti III” government.

“This is the situation at the moment, and we cannot publicly explain why we are saying this. I believe that’s exactly why the opposition refuses to vote for us,” Haxhiu said in response to questions about the repeated failed votes for her appointment.

Irresponsibility and Consequences

Political analyst Ognjen Gogic emphasized that Kosovo is currently caught in an institutional vacuum caused by the political irresponsibility not only of the ruling Self-Determination Movement but also of other political elites from the Albanian community who are “evading responsibility.”

“This entire situation demonstrates a profound lack of responsibility among Kosovo’s political elites, especially from Albanian parties. It’s not just the ruling Self-Determination Movement that cannot form a majority—the opposition also refuses to take responsibility. There has never been any indication from the opposition that they are prepared to form a government if the opportunity arises, nor have they reached an agreement on securing a majority. The current reality is that all political actors are avoiding responsibility and would rather allow Kosovo to remain in this caretaker state than take a step toward forming a parliamentary majority,” Gogic told Kosovo Online.

The result of such political “arithmetic” is clear—an institutional vacuum.

“There is no legitimate or legal parliament or government. The institutions are functioning in a caretaker capacity, and as such, they cannot make decisions. No legislative proposal can be submitted to parliament, nor can it be adopted. On the other hand, the government operates under a technical mandate and can only pass a limited number of decisions that do not address fundamental issues,” explained political analyst Ognjen Gogic.

As a result, he emphasized, everyone is losing.

“Everyone living in Kosovo is affected, as no problem can be solved. No act can be adopted that would meaningfully regulate any area. The economy and ordinary citizens are primarily affected, and Kosovo’s international obligations are also on hold. Among other things, there are consequences for the dialogue process,” Gogic underlined.

He pointed out that one of the key consequences is Kosovo’s inability to access funds from the EU’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans or to initiate the reforms necessary for progress toward European integration.

“This is not a natural state of affairs. It’s a condition affecting all sectors, as no institution is capable of making authoritative and legitimate decisions,” Gogic stressed.

He warned that Kosovo’s institutional crisis must be viewed through a multilayered lens.

“If a government were formed with an unstable majority, would it be more successful in governing or would it adopt harmful decisions? Would a short-lived coalition be the solution, only to lead to new elections? This situation is indeed unnatural, but it is not, in itself, the root of the problem,” he said.

Gogic argued that Kosovo has already had four years of strong government under the Self-Determination Movement, which held a clear majority, and yet still faced substantial problems.

“Many legislative proposals remained unadopted due to a lack of parliamentary support. Many of the government’s measures affected Serb communities as well, but there were also broader systemic issues—such as in education. So even having a legitimately elected government does not guarantee that decisions will be made in the right direction,” Gogic said.

While many may perceive the current state as a deep political crisis, Gogic said that Kosovo has long been marked by “institutional crises.”

“This has been a recurring pattern over the years. The parliamentary stability seen during the past four years was more the exception than the rule. Kosovo has now returned to its ‘natural state,’ which is one of political turbulence. The core of the issue is that there is one dominant party—Self-Determination. However, it is an anti-systemic party and, as such, lacks coalition potential. So even though it enjoys significant support among citizens, particularly ethnic Albanians, it lacks the ability to strike coalition agreements with other parties to form a majority,” Gogic noted.

He sees the solution either in “balancing” voter support for the dominant party or in its further stagnation, which could enable other parties to form stable coalitions.

Image and Challenges

Former President of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Safet Gerxhaliu, stated that Kosovo does not have the luxury of functioning without institutions since the February elections, and that political leaders must start thinking beyond power and consider the well-being of citizens. He emphasized that current events in the parliament are undermining political stability, economic development, social peace, and the acceleration of integration processes.

In a conversation with Kosovo Online, Gerxhaliu stressed that the situation in the Assembly is damaging Kosovo’s international image.

“I believe that the Western Balkans and Europe are more collateral than a direct target in the ongoing silent war between China and the U.S., but the consequences are very real. Kosovo cannot afford to remain without functioning institutions months after the February 9 elections. What is happening in the Assembly benefits neither political stability nor economic growth, social peace, or Kosovo’s integration path,” Gerxhaliu explained.

He argued that Kosovo’s image is being severely undermined and called on political parties to change their approach and “work more for the country and its people, rather than merely fight for power.”

“We are facing major challenges. We have EU sanctions, an open-ended dialogue with Serbia that has become a marathon with no resolution in sight, and serious issues with electricity and the economic situation. Therefore, if anyone truly wishes to contribute to Kosovo and its citizens’ future, they must think more about the people and the country—and not just about power,” he warned.

He stressed that institutions must be formed as soon as possible—especially with local elections scheduled for October.

“We are neither Belgium nor the Netherlands—we cannot function without a government. The number of unresolved problems is substantial. That’s why the sooner this is resolved, the better. Now is the time to show seriousness—toward both the region and Europe,” Gerxhaliu concluded.