Experts: Government formation likely, presidential election poses the biggest political challenge

As Kosovo awaits the constitution of the Assembly and the formation of a new government, political analysts warn that the election of a new president could trigger a political crisis before the term of Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu expires, while the first round of consultative meetings between Self-Determination leader Albin Kurti and opposition party leaders concluded without any concrete outcome.

With the certification of the June 7 election results, the constitutional deadlines for establishing the country's new institutions have begun to run, paving the way for the constitution of the Assembly, the formation of a new government and the election of a president.

Eugen Cakolli of the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) noted that the parliamentary session to elect the president must be held within 60 days of the constitution of the Assembly.

"The deadline for forming the government is shorter—just 40 days from the moment the president entrusts a candidate with the mandate. The first nominee has 15 days to form a government. If unsuccessful, the president has 10 days to nominate a second candidate, who is then given another 15 days. This suggests that the logical sequence would be to elect the government first," Cakolli said.

The session may be convened at any time before the expiration of that deadline, and even if Haxhiu does not convene it, the Assembly can meet on its own, explained Naim Jakaj, a researcher at the Kosovo Law Institute (IKD).

"The Assembly can convene on its own. However, it remains to be seen whether there is sufficient political will and initiative among the parties to reach a comprehensive political agreement that would also resolve the issue of the presidency before the constitutive session is convened. Imagine a situation in which the Speaker of the Assembly is elected, the Assembly is constituted, the government is formed, and yet, in the meantime, we are left without a president and without a political agreement on the election of Kosovo's president," Jakaj said.

While the opposition has maintained its position that it will not enter into a direct governing coalition, Kurti said after the first round of talks that it was still too early to speak about any concrete agreements, RTK reported.

"We will hold further meetings," Kurti said.