On September 13, 2026, the Kosovo Assembly gave its vote of confidence to the fourth government led by Albin Kurti. Sixty-two members of parliament voted in favor, eight voted against, and none abstained. The executive was formed with the votes of 53 members of the Vetëvendosje Movement and nine representatives of non-majority communities.
This parliamentary majority has prompted discussion about whether it can remain united throughout the government’s term. Since the votes of non-majority communities are essential to maintaining the majority, possible shifts in political positions, individual lawmakers’ interests, or major government decisions could affect its stability.
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Because every vote could be decisive in passing laws, the budget, and other matters of national importance, maintaining cohesion in the Assembly will be one of the Kurti government’s main challenges. Losing the support of any member of the majority could create uncertainty about the government’s continuation and the functioning of institutions, returning the country to another period of political crisis.
Speaking to “Bota sot,” political analysts offered differing assessments of whether the Kurti 4 government could complete its term.
Mehmeti: 62 votes are enough
Commentator Gani Mehmeti considers 62 lawmakers sufficient for the democratic functioning of institutions. He said the continuity of this majority will depend on lawmakers’ willingness to support the governing coalition.
Mehmeti noted that the government was formed with just one vote more than the minimum of 61, leaving it vulnerable to any change in lawmakers’ positions.
“A government needs the support of more than 50 percent of the Assembly’s members to remain in office, a number sufficient for votes, elections, and governing. The Government of Kosovo was formed with this composition, and the Prime Minister, government, and Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo were elected after the June 7, 2026 elections. The result was 53 lawmakers from the LVV and nine lawmakers from non-majority communities, making 62 in total,” Mehmeti said.
He stressed that this number is enough for institutions to function as long as members of the majority continue to support the government.
“According to the principles of democratic life, this majority is sufficient. That remains the situation as long as all 62 lawmakers maintain their support. However, the majority is on the edge, because a single lawmaker not voting could affect decision-making. This is a government operating with the narrowest of majorities,” he said.
Despite this, Mehmeti does not believe the current numbers necessarily prevent the government from completing its term. In his view, unity and lawmakers’ political willingness to remain in the current coalition will be decisive.
“As long as all lawmakers are committed to governing together, this majority can be stable and should continue until the end of the term. Although it appears fragile, it can hold,” Mehmeti said.
He also left open the possibility that the parliamentary majority could expand if an opposition lawmaker decides to support the government after concluding that it is delivering results for the country.
“When we count a vote that could be lost, we should also consider the possibility of gaining one,” Mehmeti said.
In conclusion, the commentator said the current composition should not be viewed solely as a weakness for the governing majority. In his view, support could be maintained or even expanded during the term, depending on the positions of the lawmakers who enabled the government to be formed.
Qaka: No guarantee of long-term stability
Political scientist Adnan Qaka offered a more skeptical assessment of the longevity of the Kurti IV government. He said that although the executive was elected with 62 votes, this majority does not guarantee lasting political stability.
According to Qaka, the nine lawmakers from non-majority communities, together with the 53 Vetëvendosje Movement lawmakers, are crucial to maintaining the governing majority.
He warned that a change in position by any lawmaker currently supporting the government could directly alter the balance of power in the Assembly.
“The Kurti IV government was formed with 62 votes in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo: 53 lawmakers from the Vetëvendosje Movement and nine lawmakers from non-majority communities, primarily non-Serb communities. This number gives it the support needed for its formation, the passage of ordinary laws, and the general functioning of institutions. However, such a majority does not guarantee lasting political stability, since the small margin above the minimum threshold leaves the government vulnerable to changes in the positions of lawmakers supporting it,” Qaka said.
The political scientist recalled that Kosovo’s Constitution requires at least 61 lawmakers’ votes to elect or bring down a government.
On that basis, he explained that the opposition would need three votes from the current majority to bring down the government through a motion of no confidence.
“Even if the opposition acted as one and secured the votes of all 58 of its lawmakers, it would need at least three more votes from members of the governing majority to bring down the Kurti IV government. For this reason, cohesion within the majority is particularly important, as any wavering could create a real opportunity to change the balance of power in the Assembly,” he said.
Qaka explained that a motion of no confidence can be initiated by 40 lawmakers, while 61 votes are required for it to pass.
In his view, this process is one of the main challenges the Kurti IV government could face.
“The opposition is not required to have the necessary majority to bring down the government from the outset. It only needs the constitutionally required number of lawmakers to initiate the motion and send it through parliamentary procedure,” Qaka said.
Assessing the executive’s future, the political scientist predicted that the opposition would seek to secure the support of lawmakers from the governing majority. He also did not rule out the possibility of early elections.
“My political assessment is that the Kurti IV government will face serious problems with stability and that the likelihood of its term ending before the constitutional deadline remains high. I think this government could last a maximum of two years, although concrete political developments will determine its longevity,” he said.
Qaka also criticized the performance of Albin Kurti’s government to date. In his view, the executive has not presented a comprehensive strategy for Kosovo’s economic and institutional development.
He singled out the economy, healthcare, justice, education, and diplomacy as sectors where results have fallen short of expectations.
“No credible, comprehensive development plan has been presented that would bring significant economic and institutional transformation. The Vetëvendosje Movement’s years in government have not shown satisfactory delivery of major development projects and investments that would bring structural changes to Kosovo’s economy. On the contrary, the country has stagnated in several vital areas, particularly the economy, healthcare, justice, education, and diplomacy,” Qaka said.
He added that continuing the same political and institutional approach is not expected to bring major changes to the country’s governance.
“In my assessment, unfortunately, the Vetëvendosje Movement’s government is repeating the same weak patterns that have characterized Kosovo’s institutional politics since the end of the war, and it has failed to bring about the major change citizens had expected. Consequently, under the current political conditions and with the approach it has followed so far, I do not expect this government to achieve the necessary economic, institutional, and social transformation of the Republic of Kosovo,” political scientist Adnan Qaka told “Bota sot.”
