Amid protests, Kosovo’s political deadlock raises prospect of new elections
Summary
Kosovo is facing political turmoil as protests against war crime convictions of former Kosovo Liberation Army leaders coincide with a deadline to elect a new president. If lawmakers fail to agree on a president by midnight, new elections are likely amid rising tensions and disagreement over changes to laws related to the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague.Key Facts
- Former KLA leaders, including ex-President Hashim Thaci, were convicted on September 16 by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers for war crimes.
- Protesters demand changes to the law governing the Specialist Chambers, such as reducing prison terms and allowing sentences to be served in Kosovo.
- The Specialist Chambers operates in The Hague but is part of Kosovo’s judicial system, causing controversy as many Kosovo Albanians revere the KLA.
- Kosovo’s parliament approved the proposed amendments in the first reading but has not finalized them.
- A political deadlock continues after President Vjosa Osmani’s term ended in April, with the National Assembly unable to elect a new president.
- The largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Kosovo, is divided and unable to negotiate a presidential agreement.
- On the day of the presidential vote, clashes between protesters and police occurred, with police using tear gas and water cannons.
- New elections are expected around November 15 if no president is elected by the midnight deadline.
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