The impasse continues / Even the 19th attempt does not unblock the Kosovo Assembly, the next session will be held on May 23

The members of the Kosovo Assembly have failed for the nineteenth time in a row to constitute the ninth parliamentary composition, resulting from the February elections.

On Wednesday, lawmakers refused for the eleventh time in a row to form a commission to oversee a secret ballot for the new head of the legislative body – according to a proposal made on May 1 by the chairman of the session, Avni Dehari, after the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV) candidate for Speaker of the Assembly, Albulena Haxhiu, failed in several ballots to receive the 61 votes needed to be confirmed in the post.

The next failure occurred a day after the acting Prime Minister of Kosovo, and leader of the LVV, Albin Kurti, insisted that Haxhiu's candidacy for Speaker of the Assembly was the party's decision and that she would not withdraw.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and the Serbian List again refused, during the constitutive session on May 21, to propose a representative who would ensure the smooth conduct of the secret ballot.

They say that the way LVV is attempting to have the speaker of parliament voted through a secret ballot is unconstitutional, and they have asked the Constitutional Court to take "a temporary measure to prohibit the holding of sessions, until it addresses this matter as a priority and makes a decision."

The constitutive session will continue on Friday, May 23.

So far, MPs have only passed two items on the agenda of the constitutive session: the report of the Temporary Committee for the Verification of Mandates and the oath of MPs.

But the process has stalled at the third point: the election of the speaker of parliament.

Haxhiu of LVV is being considered a divisive figure by two parliamentary parties: PDK and AAK.

These two entities have requested that LVV propose another name for the speaker of parliament. LDK, meanwhile, has said that it has no votes for any of LVV's nominees for the position of speaker of parliament.

The nomination for parliamentary speaker is the exclusive right of the election winner, LVV, which insists that Haxhiu deserves to be elected and, although it has sought a political agreement with other parties, has ruled out the possibility of bringing forward a candidate other than itself.

On May 15, after a meeting called by the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, with representatives of political parties, Osmani said that there was no agreement on the constitution of the Assembly, but added that he had seen a "minimal willingness" among party leaders to find a solution to this issue.

The deputies must elect the president and five vice presidents to finally constitute the new Assembly.

Only after the constitution of the Assembly can the new Government be formed.

Kurti said on May 20 that during the government formation process, he would be ready for compromises and concessions.

Kurti mentioned minorities as possible partners, as well as Fatmir Limaj's Social Democratic Initiative.

To those who have doubts about whether he has enough votes to form a government, Kurti told them: "Test me."

According to him, a governing coalition with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), minorities and the Initiative could secure up to 80 votes in the Assembly.

LDK previously rejected an invitation from Kurti for a coalition agreement.

Kurti confirmed that there have been meetings with Limaj and an increase in trust between them, but not a concrete agreement./ REL