Staff at Kosovo’s public broadcaster, RTK, protested in front of the government building on Wednesday, demanding the allocation of the second half of RTK’s 2025 budget, after going unpaid for July, warning of strikes, boycotts and legal action if the situation is not resolved.

The protest, organised by the RTK Workers’ Union, featured banners reading: “Journalists without pay, democracy without a voice”, “A budget for RTK – not silence for the truth”, and “Don’t shut down the public’s voice”.

RTK’s current financial woes stem from the failure to allocate the second half of its 2025 annual budget, a situation that union leaders call a “legal violation and a blow to the dignity of hundreds of workers”.

Speaking at the protest, Gezim Bimbashi, head of the RTK Workers’ Union, said the rally was non-political and aimed “solely to protect RTK’s role as Kosovo’s only public media outlet and to defend the rights of its employees.

“August 5 [the last day to receive July salaries] has passed and RTK workers still haven’t received their salaries. The budget hasn’t been allocated, which is a violation of the Law on Public Broadcasters and a direct attack on the dignity of over 700 workers,” Bimbashi said.

The union has put forward demands, including immediate allocation of the annual budget for RTK, completion of the RTK Board by the new parliament, the launch of an open competition for a new general director, sustainable financial support from parliament and an increased budget for 2026, including wage rises for employees.

Bimbashi said: “Strikes and a boycott of political events are not ruled out”, adding that the union is also considering legal action against all institutions it holds responsible for the situation.

Xhemajl Rexha, head of the Association of Journalists of Kosovo, AJK, expressed full support for the RTK staff and urged the government to act.

“It’s unfortunate that it has come down to political will. We call on the government of Kosovo to allocate the budget for the next six months, so the journalists can receive their salaries and continue their work without obstruction,” Rexha said.

He added that RTK has faced political pressure for years, but now faces “a new form of political pressure – financial pressure”.

On Wednesday, caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti blamed the months-long deadlock over parliament’s inauguration for RTK’s lack of funds.

“We are here to find a solution but it cannot be a solution that is not legal. The [parliamentary] Committee on Budget and Finance should make the decision on the transfer of funds, but since there is no [sitting] Assembly, we don’t have that committee and, consequently, there is no decision,” Kurti said on a visit to Kosovo’s University and Clinical Centre.

Kosovo has been without a functioning parliament since the February 9 elections, with MPs failing to fully constitute the assembly by choosing a speaker and approve key appointments, including RTK’s Board.

MPs from the main Vetevendosje party have insisted on electing their candidate as speaker, acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, but have failed to win support for this from the other parties.