A U.S. State Department spokesperson told Radio Free Europe on Thursday that the political impasse was resulting in “missed opportunities” for Kosovo and urged leaders to prioritise progress and stability.

Kosovo’s parliament has yet to be constituted following the June 7 election. Its inaugural session began on Aug. 6, but lawmakers have failed to elect a speaker, leaving the process stalled.

Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, also leader of the Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje), has sought additional time for consultations with other parties, while the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Alliance for the Future of Kosovo have called for the session to resume without waiting for a political agreement.

Kurti met Democratic League (LDK) leader Lumir Abdixhiku on Aug. 18 to discuss a possible political solution, including the election of Kosovo’s next president. Both said they were willing to seek an agreement.

The European Union has also urged Kosovo’s parties to resolve the crisis, warning that political delays could affect the implementation of reforms and access to European funding.

Under the EU Growth Plan, Kosovo has been allocated 882.6 million euros in grants and concessional loans through 2027, linked to progress on its reform commitments.

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According to the President’s Office, the two officials discussed the need for political dialogue and efforts to find a way out of the current institutional impasse, with the aim of forming institutions as soon as possible and allowing the country to move forward in line with its constitutional order.

Haxhiu expressed appreciation for Great Britain’s continued support for Kosova and its role as an important partner, the statement said.

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“We should talk about specific names for a consensus candidate for president,” Haxhiu said after meeting leaders of several parliamentary parties.

She said Prime Minister-designate Albin Kurti would soon begin talks with the Democratic League of Kosova (LDK) on a consensus presidential candidate.

According to Haxhiu, PM Kurti said during the meeting that his Self-Determination Movement (Vetvendosje) had enough votes to elect a parliament speaker and form a government, but that an agreement was still needed on the country’s next president.

Haxhiu also said she was reviewing documents submitted by political parties concerning new appointments to Kosova’s Central Election Commission (CEC).

Asked about protests threatened by the former opposition, Haxhiu said those organising them should clearly state the cause of the protests.

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Acting Justice Minister Donika Gervalla urged opposition lawmakers to attend talks initiated by the ruling Vetevendosje to reach a political agreement, as opposition MPs chanted: “Call the session!”

The dispute follows the expiry on Aug. 7 of the 30-day constitutional deadline to constitute parliament. The session, which began on Aug. 6, has stalled after lawmakers failed to elect a speaker and deputy speakers.

The PDK and AAK have demanded that session chair Avni Dehari resume proceedings, while Vetevendosje insists on reaching a political agreement first.

Naim Jakaj of the Kosova Law Institute said the expiry of the deadline did not mean the process should stop, arguing that lawmakers remained obliged to complete parliament’s constitution. He also said negotiations over the presidency should not be a precondition for constituting parliament.

The political deadlock centres on the election of Kosova’s next president. Vetevendosje wants a broad agreement on a consensus, non-partisan candidate, while the LDK says the post should go to its nominee. The PDK has called for constitutional procedures to be completed first, while the AAK has accused Vetevendosje of causing the institutional impasse.

The European Union has urged Kosova’s parties to reach agreement quickly, warning that delays in forming institutions could hamper reforms and affect access to EU funds.

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Acting Prime Minister and LVV leader Albin Kurti held a fourth round of talks with LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku, but both sides acknowledged that significant differences remain, particularly over the country’s future president.

“We still do not have a political agreement,” Kurti told reporters, arguing that LDK’s demands do not reflect the balance of power resulting from the June elections, in which LVV won 53 seats.

The main sticking point is the presidency. LDK, which secured 18 parliamentary seats, has insisted on the right to nominate the next president, a condition Kurti has so far rejected.

Abdixhiku said his party sees the presidency as essential to any broader political deal and warned that LDK has little appetite for further negotiations if its position is not accepted.

The latest talks took place hours before the constitutional deadline for constituting the new parliament. A parliamentary session scheduled for Aug. 6 was postponed after Kurti requested additional time for coalition negotiations.

Kurti has argued that forming a government without a broader agreement on the presidency could trigger another institutional crisis, potentially leading to fresh elections.

Kosovo’s two other main opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), have declined to enter coalition talks, saying they intend to remain in opposition.

While Kurti is widely seen as having sufficient support to constitute parliament and form a government, he lacks the broader parliamentary backing required for the election of a president, a process that requires the participation of at least 80 lawmakers in the 120-seat assembly.

Political analyst Naim Rashiti of the Balkan Policy Group said Kosovo was facing a serious constitutional and political impasse, warning that continued deadlock could prolong institutional instability.

Failure to secure a political agreement on the presidency in the coming months could ultimately force Kosovo into another round of early parliamentary elections.

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