Reuters: Kosovo’s Parliament re-elects Albin Kurti as prime minister, political crisis continues

Reuters, one of the world’s largest news agencies, has reported on the latest political developments in Kosovo, noting that Albin Kurti has been re-elected prime minister, but that a possible failure to elect the president could send the country back to early elections.

Kurti was elected with 62 votes in the 120-seat Parliament, Reuters writes.

“This mandate is about the strong return of security and prosperity for citizens,” Kurti said before the vote.

“Repeated elections have only prevented the same government from governing.”

In late August, Kurti reached an agreement with the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which holds 18 seats, to support professor Bekim Sejdiu as the new president. A day later, six LDK deputies said they would not respect their leader’s decision.

It remains unclear when the presidential vote will take place. If Parliament fails to elect a new president, Kosovo would have to hold further early elections, the fourth in just two years.

Reuters further notes that Kosovo, one of Europe’s poorest countries, aims to join the European Union, but Brussels has repeatedly said the country needs stable institutions capable of implementing the reforms required for membership.

Political instability has delayed reforms and slowed access to EU funds. Two-thirds of votes are needed to elect the president, who has a largely ceremonial role.

The two opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance, boycotted the session and said they would turn to the Constitutional Court to ask whether the law was violated during the constitution of the Parliament. The LDK also did not take part in the vote for the new Government.

Source: Reuters