Kosovo parliament backs Albin Kurti-led government ending deadlock

Kosovo parliament backs Albin Kurti-led government ending deadlockSecuring international loans and reforming health and education systems among the top priorities of the new government.Published On 12 Feb 2026Kosovo’s parliament has approved a new government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti after more than a year of political deadlock amid ongoing tensions with Serbia.Lawmakers in the 120-member assembly backed Kurti’s cabinet in a 66-49 vote on Wednesday, hours after parliament convened for the first time since his Vetevendosje party won a snap election in December.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Kosovo’s prime minister claims victory in snap electionlist 2 of 2Kosovo’s leading party wins vote but government formation still unclearend of listBefore the vote, Kurti set out his legislative agenda, citing the economy and increased investment in defence as key areas, with plans to invest one billion euros ($1.18bn) for military purposes, including the production of combat drones.“During these years, as we have all witnessed, we have faced constant attacks and threats from Serbia,” said Kurti of tense relations with Kosovo’s northern neighbour, which has never recognised its independence since it was declared in 2008 after a war in the late 1990s.However, the prime minister, a former political prisoner, promised to pursue “normalisation of relations” with Belgrade aimed at “a bilateral external relationship and not interference or meddling in internal affairs”.Tensions remain high in Kosovo’s north, where most of the ethnic Serb minority live, but normalisation of relations is a key requirement for both countries’ stated ambitions to join the European Union.Urgent tasks after political stasisThursday’s vote ended a long period of political stasis after an inconclusive vote in February last year that left Kurti without the majority needed to form a government.