Kosovo on the final day of the constitutional deadline: Election of the president or dissolution of the Assembly

Kosovo is facing a decisive moment for the continuation of institutional functioning.

Today, October 6, the constitutional deadline for electing the president of Kosovo expires. By the end of this deadline, the political parties must reach an agreement to avoid the dissolution of the Assembly and the organization of new elections.

According to the Constitutional Court’s ruling, the 60-day period for electing the president began on August 8 and ends today. This is a mandatory deadline that cannot be extended through a political agreement, reports “Bota Sot”.

Failure to elect the president would directly result in the dissolution of the Assembly. Following this development, Kosovo would have to hold extraordinary elections, which must take place within 45 days of the date of the dissolution.

Parties still far from a compromise

Political negotiations ahead of the deadline have become more difficult because of the differing demands of the parliamentary parties.

The PDK has conditioned its vote for the president on amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers of Kosovo in The Hague.

LVV has not accepted this approach, insisting that the election of the president should be conducted as a separate process. The party has also insisted that the country should not be directed toward new elections.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti has called on political actors in recent days to avoid elections and find a solution within the institutions.

However, until the final hours of October 6, it remains unknown whether the parties will manage to overcome the disagreements that have hindered the process.

The risk of a new electoral cycle

Failure to elect the president would send Kosovo into another election campaign, shortly after the latest electoral processes and a prolonged period of institutional tension.

Such a situation would cause further delays in consolidating the institutions, while the country must address important issues related to foreign policy, dialogue with Serbia and the integration processes.

For this reason, October 6 represents more than a procedural deadline. It will determine whether the crisis will be overcome through a political agreement in the Assembly or whether the decision will be left to the citizens through new elections.

Steps in the event of failure

If the president is not elected within the stipulated period, the Assembly is dissolved. The acting president is then obliged to call extraordinary elections, which, according to the constitutional deadline, must be held no later than 45 days after the dissolution of the Assembly.

This development would return the country to a new electoral contest.

However, until this scenario comes to pass, the parties still have the final hours of the day available to reach an agreement.

During today, it will become clear whether the parties will prioritize institutional functioning over political conditions, or whether Kosovo will enter another electoral cycle. The deadline is clearly defined: October 6 is the final day.