Early parliamentary elections in Kosovo on December 28

(Patria) - President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani scheduled early parliamentary elections for December 28, after previously dissolving the Assembly which failed to elect a new government after the parliamentary elections held on February 9.

Osmani said at a press conference after a meeting she previously held with representatives of political parties, that eight parties were in favor of the December 28 date, five for December 21, and three parties stated that any date suited them.

- Local elections have not yet been completed in terms of the certification procedure. Before the campaign begins, there are a number of steps, such as the registration of entities and coalitions, candidate certification, drawing of lots, and other actions.

In addition, at least two weeks are needed to enable voting from abroad, and according to the law, citizens living outside Kosovo must be given at least 15 days to apply and register to vote. These steps also include tender procedures and other obligations.

All of this practically makes the December 21 date impossible, so I assessed that December 28 remains the only possible one, although even that date presents certain challenges for the Central Election Commission - Osmani explained her decision.

She emphasized that as the President of Kosovo, she has an obligation to set the longest, not the shortest deadline, in order to overcome some of the challenges of organizing elections quickly, assessing it as a "misfortune" that the country is going to parliamentary elections again.

When asked if she was favoring "Self-Determination" by choosing December 28, a date preferred by that movement, Osmani replied that it was an "insulting question" and added: "I want to assure the citizens that I do not make any decisions unconsciously".

She also emphasized that she believes this decision is solely in the interest of Kosovo.

- All parties have stated that they are not against the diaspora. Why do you assume the diaspora is for one party? I have an obligation to choose a date when we will have the highest possible turnout, not the lowest - Osmani added.

The leader of the "Self-Determination" movement, Albin Kurti, welcomed the setting of December 28 as the date for the elections, calling it "the most appropriate".

"At the same time, we must ensure that state institutions have enough time to carry out all the necessary preparations so that the electoral process is orderly, fair, and democratic," he said in a Facebook post after Osmani set the election date.

The leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (DPK), Bedri Hamza, says that the party is ready for the elections, despite the date not being what they requested.

"Although we presented arguments in our consultations why December 21 would be fairer, the decision has been made, the date has been set. Now is the time to look ahead. DPK is ready, with a team, a program, and a vision," Hamza stated in a video message posted on social media.

Osmani had previously signed the decision to dissolve the Assembly, after MPs failed to elect a new Government the previous day.

The signing of the decree to dissolve the Assembly also followed after political leaders failed to reach an agreement for MPs to attempt to vote on several important agreements for the country today.

"In accordance with the Constitution of Kosovo and the applicable legislation, as well as after today's acceptance of the decision of the Assembly of Kosovo regarding the failure of the second mandate holder to form a Government, the President of the Republic of Kosovo today dissolved the ninth convocation of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo," the Presidency stated in a press release.