Justina Široka Pulja has been elected as the president of Kosovo, narrowly meeting the constitutional deadline for the election. The voting process began just ten minutes before midnight, and she was elected shortly after midnight, ending a nearly two-year institutional crisis. This election has raised questions regarding whether the constitutional deadline was actually met, with some observers suggesting that the crisis may not be fully resolved.
Enver Hasani, a former president of Kosovo’s Constitutional Court, stated that the election was constitutionally valid because the voting process commenced within the designated timeframe. However, Dragiša Mijačić, director of the Institute for Territorial Economic Development, expressed skepticism about the resolution of the political crisis, noting that disagreements among political and social actors in Kosovo have merely taken on a new form. Mijačić also pointed out that it is unlikely the Constitutional Court will annul the election results and call for new elections.
The election of Široka Pulja was preceded by significant unrest and protests, particularly following the sentencing of former leaders of the Kosovo Liberation Army (OVK) for war crimes by the Special Chambers in The Hague. These judicial decisions have been met with widespread protests in Kosovo, reflecting deep societal divisions. The protests were marked by clashes with police, who used tear gas and water cannons, resulting in injuries to both demonstrators and law enforcement officers.
In response to the unrest, a law affecting the Special Chambers was passed under pressure from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Albanian protesters, alongside political negotiations. The changes to the law came after the initial verdicts against former OVK leaders, which were not well-received by the Albanian public in Kosovo. Following the law’s passage, the presidential election took place, ostensibly ending the institutional crisis.
Despite the election, significant challenges remain for Kosovo. Mijačić highlighted the difficulties Kosovo faces in meeting the conditions necessary to access funds from the European Union’s Growth Plan. Due to the prolonged institutional crisis, Kosovo has only managed to access a small portion of the available 882 million euros, specifically 61.8 million euros in pre-financing.
Kosovo’s political landscape continues to be fraught with challenges, including issues of fiscal stability and the centralization efforts by the government under Prime Minister Albin Kurti. These efforts aim to reduce the powers of local governments, which could lead to further political and social tensions. Additionally, there are ongoing international pressures related to the rulings of the Special Chambers, as well as the Kosovo government’s relations with the Serbian community.
The situation in Kosovo remains fluid, with potential for further unrest as public sentiment evolves regarding the new president and the recent law changes. The role of the international community, particularly the European Union, will be crucial in influencing Kosovo’s political stability moving forward.
