On Thursday, one day after parliament failed to elect a new government, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani announced that early parliamentary elections will be held on December 28, marking the second time this year that voters return to the polls to elect a new parliament.

The announcement came following a meeting with political party representatives earlier in the day. Osmani said that eight parties supported the December 28 date, five favoured December 21, and three were indifferent to the timing.

“As President, it is my duty to set the longest possible timeline, not the shortest, to mitigate the challenges of organising elections,” Osmani said, calling it a “misfortune” that the country must hold elections again.

Before the conference, Osmani signed a decree dissolving the Assembly, after lawmakers failed to form a new government for the second time. 

“In accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo and current legislation, and following today’s decision of the Assembly regarding the failure to form a Government by the second mandate holder, the President of the Republic of Kosovo has dissolved the ninth legislature of the Republic of Kosovo,” the Presidential Office read in a statement.

During the meeting, the leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, Bedri Hamza, requested that elections be held on December 21, arguing that the country “needs institutions as soon as possible.” Similarly, Ramush Haradinaj, leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, also advocated for a December 21 vote. Faton Peci, head of the Guxo party, supported the December 28 date, Fatmir Limaj, leader of the Social Democratic Initiative, described the repetition of elections as “bad news”.

Kosovo Faces Snap Elections After Second Failure to Elect Govt

The meeting followed the failure of Vetëvendosje’s, LVV, second mandate holder Glauk Konjufca to secure the necessary votes to form a new government on Wednesday.  Previously, LVV leader Albin Kurti was also unable to form a government on October 26, leaving Kosovo in the hands of a caretaker government since the parliamentary elections on February 9, 2025.

According to the Constitution, if neither the first nor second mandate holder can form a government, the President must call new elections, which must be held within 40 days of the announcement.

When asked whether the date favors the ruling LVV party, as it coincides with the period when the diaspora pours into Kosovo for New Year celebrations, Osmani described the question as “offensive,” assuring citizens that her decision was made “consciously and solely in Kosovo’s interest.”

“All parties have stated they are not against diaspora participation. Why assume the diaspora favours a particular party? I have a duty to choose a date that ensures higher participation, not lower,” she added.