In a written response to Radio Free Europe, a spokesperson for the Embassy said that the parliamentary parties in Kosovo must work together to establish new institutions in accordance with the country’s Constitution and the rulings of the Constitutional Court.

“The continued political stalemate is depriving Kosovo of important opportunities. It is imperative that the country’s leadership place progress and stability at the forefront, in the interest of all citizens,” the statement read.

The Embassy’s remarks come close on the heels of the most recent unsuccessful attempt by members of parliament to break the deadlock, nearly five months after the parliamentary elections.

On Wednesday, lawmakers gathered to continue the constitutive session, in line with the Constitutional Court’s ruling obliging them to form the new Assembly by the September 18 deadline.

However, the constitutive session failed as neither of the two candidates proposed by the winning party, Lëvizja Vetëvendosje – Albulena Haxhiu and Donika Gërvalla – managed to secure more than 57 votes, four short of the minimum 61 votes required for election.

On Wednesday, the European Union and the Italian Embassy in Pristina urged parliamentary parties to swiftly establish the new institutions.

Vetëvendosje accuses PDK, LDK, and AAK of blocking institution formation.

PDK reiterated that it will support only one Vetëvendosje candidate, who did not serve in the previous government.

LDK noted that Vetëvendosje was aware Haxhiu and Gërvalla lacked sufficient votes. The party has consistently maintained that it will not back any Vetëvendosje candidate for the position of parliamentary speaker.

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