Kosovo President Calls December 28 Snap Parliamentary Vote, Escalates Deadlock
Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani announced an early parliamentary election for December 28 after the ruling Vetevendosje party failed to build a governing majority, extending a months long stalemate that began with February’s vote. The decision intensifies political uncertainty in the Western Balkans and will be closely monitored by Western partners concerned about governance, reform momentum, and regional stability.
President Vjosa Osmani set December 28, 2025 as the date for an early parliamentary election on November 20, following the failure of Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje party to secure sufficient support in parliament to form a government. The announcement came after a prolonged period of political stalemate that has persisted since February’s election, when Vetevendosje won a plurality but not a workable majority.
Osmani urged political parties to conduct a dignified campaign and emphasized the urgent need for stable institutions to address pressing domestic issues. Her decision now forces parties back to the campaign trail with just over five weeks to organize candidates and mobilize voters ahead of a high stakes vote that could reshape the balance of power in Kosovo and affect its international partnerships.
The snap election underscores structural tensions in Kosovo’s political landscape. Vetevendosje emerged from the February contest as the largest single party, but coalition arithmetic has repeatedly frustrated efforts to translate plurality into stable governance. The failure to form a majority coalition has left the executive constrained on policy making, while core reform agendas face delays at a moment when Western partners have pressed Kosovo to advance institutional consolidation and rule of law measures.
The timing of the vote raises practical questions about preparedness and turnout. Electoral authorities will be tasked with organizing nationwide voting and ensuring that campaigns for multiple parties and civic groups proceed under short time frames. Voter fatigue could depress participation, altering the incentives for both larger parties and smaller coalition actors. For political scientists and campaign strategists, rapid election cycles alter the calculus of coalition formation and encourage tactical maneuvering rather than long term policy compromise.
For Western governments and multilateral institutions, the snap vote will be a test of influence and support mechanisms. Kosovo’s trajectory on EU integration, cooperation with NATO partners, and regional relations has been linked to the capacity of domestic institutions to deliver reforms and uphold minority rights. A renewed period of political uncertainty could complicate those efforts and make external mediation or technical assistance more likely.
Domestic consequences could be immediate for governance. Ministries and local administrations operating in a caretaker mode face constraints on implementing policy, approving budgets, and advancing legislative priorities. Citizens confronting economic and social issues may see delayed responses as political actors focus on electoral positioning.
The outcome of the December 28 vote will determine whether Vetevendosje can convert its plurality into a stable governing majority, or whether the fragmentation that has characterized the last nine months will intensify. For Kosovo’s electorate and its international partners, the snap election is not merely a procedural reset. It is a decisive moment for institutional resilience and for the country’s ability to sustain the reform trajectory long advocated by Western capitals.
