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Vjosa Osmani’s five-year term as president of Kosovo formally concluded on Saturday, leading to a temporary transfer of power.
Following Parliament’s inability to elect a successor or secure enough support for Osmani to serve a second term, the duties of the presidency have been handed over to Parliament Speaker Albulena Haxhiu.
Haxhiu, a member of the leading centre-left Vetëvendosje party, will serve in an acting capacity during this period of political transition.
The leadership change occurs amidst a protracted political crisis in the Balkan nation.
While Haxhiu is legally permitted to hold the acting role for up to six months, a recent Constitutional Court ruling has set a strict deadline of April 28 for lawmakers to elect a permanent president.
Under Kosovo’s legal framework, a candidate requires a two-thirds majority in the 120-seat Assembly to be confirmed. Failure to reach an agreement by the deadline would trigger fresh early parliamentary elections within 45 days.
The transfer of power also marks a symbolic moment for Osmani, who noted during the handover that she had long hoped to be succeeded by another woman.
However, the path forward remains uncertain for Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government; despite winning the most recent snap elections in December, the administration currently lacks the necessary numbers to appoint its preferred candidate.
As the deadline approaches, the prospect of a third national election in just over a year looms over the Assembly.
