After nearly nine months of political stalemate, Kosovo’s parliament has finally broken its deadlock by electing an ethnic Serb deputy speaker, paving the way for the formation of a new government. The move, which took place on October 10, 2025, marks a significant—if contentious—step toward ethnic inclusivity and institutional stability in the country. But in a region where history’s shadow looms large, the breakthrough has stirred both hope and skepticism among Kosovo’s diverse communities and political actors.
The deadlock began in February 2023, following a fiercely contested parliamentary election. Disagreements over representation and power-sharing, particularly between the ethnic Albanian majority and the Serb minority, prevented the assembly from constituting a full leadership team. The impasse was only deepened by Kosovo’s complex ethnic fabric, a legacy of conflict and Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence from Serbia—a status still unrecognized by Belgrade and several other countries.
The breakthrough came after Kosovo’s constitutional court intervened. Following a failure to elect an ethnic Serb deputy speaker in late August 2025, the court issued a ruling obliging MPs to elect a Serb deputy speaker and inaugurate parliament within 12 days. On October 10, lawmakers complied, electing Nenad Rasic, an ethnic Serb, as the last of parliament’s five deputy speakers with 71 votes in favor. Parliament Speaker Dimal Basha announced, “I have the pleasure [to announce] that with 71 votes in favour, we have elected the last [deputy] leader [of the parliament] and have declared the Parliament constituted.” According to Basha, “The procedure was absolutely correct. The nine MPs [from Srpska Lista] were proposed and exhausted.”
This election finally cleared the path for the President of Kosovo to grant Vetevendosje, the largest party with 48 seats in the 120-seat parliament, the mandate to form a new government. However, with no party holding an outright majority, coalition-building remains a necessity—introducing a new round of political negotiations and uncertainty.
Yet, the sense of relief was not shared by all. The Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista, the largest party representing Kosovo’s Serb community, immediately objected to the election of Rasic, arguing that he does not represent their ranks. None of Srpska Lista’s proposed candidates for deputy speaker received enough votes. Igor Simic, a Srpska Lista MP, told the media after the vote, “Once again it was proven that justice and law do not exist. Today the constitution of the parliamentary session has not been completed, and do not let them lie to you.” Simic further insisted, “The winner of the elections from the Serbian community must have the exclusive right to propose the deputy speaker of the parliament from the Serbian community.” According to Simic, Rasic “was forcibly elected as an MP, and now as a deputy speaker” and does not represent the majority of the Serb community.
Parliament Speaker Dimal Basha, however, maintained that Kosovo’s constitution requires only that the deputy speaker be from the Serb community, not from any specific party. Kosovo’s legal framework provides for the election of three deputy speakers from the Albanian community, one from the Serb community, and one from other non-majority ethnic communities. Basha told the media, “The constitution does not specify to which Serbian party the Serbian deputy speaker must belong to, it only says that they should be from the Serb community.”
Other political leaders in Kosovo also expressed doubts about the legitimacy of the parliament’s inauguration. Memli Krasniqi, leader of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), told the media that he was not sure parliament had been fully inaugurated, hinting at the possibility of further legal or political challenges. Fatmir Limaj, leader of the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA), told local media Klan Kosova that the election of Rasic as the Serb deputy speaker is “unconstitutional,” claiming that Srpska Lista, as the Serbian party with the majority of MPs, has the right to propose the Serb deputy speaker. As of now, it remains unclear whether Srpska Lista will file an official complaint to the Constitutional Court.
The international community, particularly the European Union, has largely welcomed the development. The EU, which has played a key role in mediating dialogue between Kosovo and Serbia, praised the election as a positive step toward reconciliation and regional stability. The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, emphasized the importance of inclusive governance in ensuring lasting peace. This move is also seen as potentially strengthening Kosovo’s case for membership in international bodies such as the EU and the United Nations—an aspiration that has long been complicated by unresolved ethnic and political disputes.
However, serious challenges remain. The ethnic Serb minority in Kosovo continues to face discrimination and limited access to public services, and the broader dialogue with Serbia remains fragile. The success of this political breakthrough will depend on whether it leads to tangible improvements for minority communities or remains a symbolic gesture. As noted in a report by the International Crisis Group, long-term stability in Kosovo requires addressing the root causes of ethnic tension, including economic disparities and the lack of political representation for minorities. Policies that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for all ethnic groups will be crucial going forward.
International mediation has been instrumental in Kosovo’s progress thus far. Organizations such as the EU and the United Nations have provided crucial platforms for negotiation and conflict resolution, and their continued support will be vital as Kosovo navigates the next phase of its political evolution. The election of Nenad Rasic, while contentious, is a testament to the effectiveness of international pressure and legal mechanisms in breaking political impasses.
Looking ahead, Kosovo’s ability to achieve lasting peace and stability will depend on its commitment to ethnic integration, inclusive governance, and ongoing dialogue with Serbia. The election of a Serb deputy speaker is a meaningful step, but it is only the beginning of a much longer journey. The government must now prioritize policies that address socioeconomic disparities, ensure equal access to education and employment, and foster genuine political participation for all communities.
As the dust settles on this latest chapter in Kosovo’s political saga, the challenge will be to transform a hard-won procedural victory into real progress for the people it is meant to serve. Only through sustained effort, compromise, and a willingness to listen to all voices can Kosovo hope to secure its future as a stable, inclusive, and internationally recognized state.