Kosovo faces constitutional deadline as parties clash over assembly formation

Kosovo Assembly constitution Albin Kurti deadline snap election

Kosovo’s Constitutional Court set a strict deadline of 7 August 2026 – thirty days after the election results were certified on 8 July – for the new Assembly to be constituted. Prime Minister Albin Kurti asked for extra time to negotiate the presidential election and paused the constitutive session, citing the need for political talks.

Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), denounced the delay as a breach of the constitution and called for the Assembly to be formed immediately. The Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS) and the Institute for Justice and Democracy (IKD) also urged compliance with the deadline, warning that any further postponement could trigger a constitutional crisis, an institutional vacuum, and a snap election.

The European Union delegation warned that missing the deadline could jeopardise more than €100 million of EU growth‑plan funding for Kosovo. Negotiations between Kurti and opposition leaders – LDK chairman Lumir Abdixhiku and Alliance leader Ardian Gjini – have stalled, with Gjini refusing a meeting and stating his party will not join a government unless the president is Ramush Haradinaj. Various politicians, including PDK secretary Bedri Hamza and deputy Vlora Çitaku, have publicly criticised the postponement and called for swift constitutional compliance.

Entities

Albin Kurti · Arben Gashi · Ardian Gjini · Avni Dehari · Bedri Hamza · Constitutional Court of Kosovo · Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) · Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) · Dukagjin Gorani · European Union · European Union delegation · Group for Legal and Political Studies (GLPS)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] The constitutive session of Kosovo's Assembly was interrupted. www.aktuelno.me · abcnews.al
[● 11 SOURCES] The Constitutional Court ruled that Kosovo's Assembly must be constituted within 30 days of election certification. veriu.info · abcnews.al · www.aktuelno.me · botapress.info
[● 6 SOURCES] Albin Kurti said without an agreement on the president, there will be no constitution of the Assembly. www.mesazhi.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Lumir Abdixhiku said his party is trying to avoid new elections. tv21.tv
[○ 1 SOURCE] Dukagjin Gorani said Kurti wants to distribute responsibility for implementing the Ohrid Agreement among coalition partners.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Mërgim Lushtaku said PDK will stay in opposition and responsibility for institutions lies with Vetëvendosje.
[● 3 SOURCES] PDK accused Kurti of blocking the constitutional process and ignoring a Constitutional Court ruling.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Ilir Deda proposed that LDK nominate a non‑partisan presidential candidate and test Vetëvendosje's willingness.
[● 2 SOURCES] Ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions attended the session.
[● 3 SOURCES] Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti requested more time for discussions on electing a president.
[● 2 SOURCES] Kurti thanked Bedri Hamza (PDK) and Lumir Abdixhiku (LDK) for their meetings.
[● 3 SOURCES] Deputies of the 11th legislature were sworn in during the session.