Kosovo Parliament Confirms Albin Kurti’s Government, Resolving Year-Long Political Standoff

On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the Parliament of the Republic of Kosovo reached a definitive conclusion to a prolonged period of political uncertainty by officially ratifying a new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Albin Kurti. This pivotal moment effectively brings an end to a political stalemate that had gripped the nation for over a year, following the snap elections held on December 28, 2025. Kurti, who has now secured his third term as the head of the government, garnered the support of 66 deputies within the 120-seat Assembly. The confirmation process was marked by a spirited debate, resulting in 49 votes against the new administration and five abstentions from the present lawmakers.

The successful formation of this government was made possible after the legislative body elected Albulena Haxhiu, the former Minister of Justice, to the position of Speaker of Parliament. Her election was viewed as a vital prerequisite for breaking the legislative gridlock that had persisted since the inconclusive elections of February 2025. In the subsequent general election held on December 28, 2025, Kurti’s Vetëvendosje (Self-Determination) party achieved a significant victory, claiming 57 seats and securing over 51% of the total vote. Nevertheless, the official validation of these results faced extensive delays due to a mandatory and comprehensive recount of ballots, which was triggered by concerns regarding potential reporting inaccuracies.

In a comprehensive policy speech delivered to the Assembly, Mr. Kurti detailed the strategic priorities that will define his administration’s four-year tenure, placing a heavy emphasis on economic revitalization and a massive expansion of national defense capabilities. He pledged to allocate 1 billion euros toward defense spending over the next four years, a plan that encompasses the modernization and operationalization of a domestic ammunition factory, the broader development of the local military-industrial complex, and the indigenous production of sophisticated combat drones. Furthermore, the government’s agenda includes significant capital investments in the renewable energy sector and water infrastructure, alongside targeted social policies designed to increase female employment and raise the minimum wage in alignment with the country's broader economic trajectory.

Among the most pressing challenges facing the newly inaugurated government is the immediate approval of the delayed 2026 fiscal budget and the finalization of international credit agreements and aid packages worth hundreds of millions of euros, including critical funding from the European Union’s Growth Plan. During its very first executive session, the cabinet approved several vital financial instruments, including a 90.3 million euro agreement with the International Development Association, a subsidiary of the World Bank. These measures were promptly forwarded to the Assembly for formal ratification, with a deadline set for February 13. Additionally, the government approved a draft budget for 2026 totaling approximately 4 billion euros, which notably includes the introduction of a 13th-month salary for all public sector employees and a 0.5% increase in base pay for every year of professional service.

Regarding foreign policy, the normalization of diplomatic relations with Serbia remains a top priority for the Kurti administration. The Prime Minister expressed his commitment to advancing this goal through a "constructive and creative dialogue," while maintaining the firm stance that these negotiations are a matter of bilateral external relations rather than an opening for interference in Kosovo's internal governance. Substantial progress in this dialogue is widely recognized as a mandatory condition for the eventual accession of both Kosovo and Serbia into the European Union. On the domestic front, the government is poised to implement sweeping reforms in the healthcare and education sectors. The parliament also faces the urgent task of electing a new president by March 5, as the term of the current president, Vjosa Osmani, is scheduled to conclude in early April.

The new cabinet structure includes three deputy prime ministers, with Fikrim Damka, the leader of the Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP), appointed as the third deputy prime minister responsible for minority affairs and regional cooperation. As part of its broader economic strategy, the government has outlined a two-stage plan to increase the minimum net wage throughout 2026. The first phase will see the minimum wage rise to 425 euros in January, followed by a second increase to 500 euros in July. This policy shift is expected to have a direct impact on the livelihoods of more than 131,000 workers, reflecting the administration's focus on improving living standards and fostering social equity across the Republic.