DASH: Continued political deadlock undermines trust in Kosovo institutions

2026-05-02 22:01:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

The United States of America is closely following recent developments in Kosovo, while expressing concern about the continued political blockade in the country.

A US State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that "the ongoing political deadlock undermines trust in Kosovo's institutions."

"We are closely following developments. We would like to see all political groups cooperate for the best interests of the people of Kosovo," the spokesperson said.

Kosovo will hold early parliamentary elections on June 7.

They were announced after the Assembly was automatically dissolved this week, due to its failure to elect a new president within the constitutional deadline.

The ruling party, the Vetevendosje Movement, accused the opposition of deliberately boycotting the sessions, while opposition parties blamed the government for a lack of cooperation and for attempting to concentrate power in a single hand.

The tenth legislature, resulting from the early elections of December 28, lasted less than three months.

Those elections were held after a prolonged political crisis that began after the regular elections of February 9, 2025, when the Assembly failed to be constituted for months and efforts to form a Government ended unsuccessfully.

Analysts warn that Kosovo risks facing a scenario similar to that of Bulgaria, which in the last five years has gone through seven consecutive election cycles without achieving institutional stability.

They add that the crisis also affects the pace of state decision-making and brings a significant financial burden to the state budget.

On May 2, the Central Election Commission announced that the deadline for political parties to declare their participation in the June 7 elections, as well as for the formation of coalitions, has begun, which will last until May 7.

According to the activity plan approved by the CEC, the deadline for the certification of new parties and the submission of lists of candidates for deputies began on May 2. The deadline for new parties ends on May 10, while for candidate lists on May 12.

A day earlier, the CEC also approved the activity plan and budget for the early elections, which will cost 10 million and 887 thousand euros.

The election campaign will last 10 days, from May 28 to June 7 at 07:00, when the polling stations open.

Postal voting will take place from May 25 to June 6, while voting will be organized at diplomatic missions one day before the elections.

Registration to vote from abroad will take place from May 6 to 17.

In the December 28 elections, over 2 million Kosovo citizens, both inside and outside the country, were eligible to vote - a figure that is expected to remain similar in future elections. Turnout was around 45 percent./rel