1 month ago
Kosovo PM Albin Kurti pelted with eggs amid political deadlock
In a country called Kosovo, a big argument is happening inside the Parliament building.
Kosovo held an election in June, but the leaders still cannot agree on how to share power.
The acting Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, is in charge for now.
He told lawmakers he needed more time to talk with other political groups before choosing a new Speaker of Parliament.
One lawmaker, Time Kadrijaj, got very angry and threw eggs at him from her purse.
She shouted "Shame, shame!"
because she was upset about the delay.
Kurti did not seem worried and said he was happy to be hit by eggs if it kept the conversation going.
Kosovo cannot choose a new president because no political party has enough votes on its own.
The two biggest parties disagree about who should become president, and if they keep arguing, Kosovo may have to hold another election.
Kosovo's acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti was pelted with eggs in Parliament on Saturday after asking lawmakers for more time to negotiate a Speaker candidate.
Opposition Alliance for the Future of Kosovo MP Time Kadrijaj threw eggs from her purse, shouting "Shame, shame," as security and fellow lawmakers intervened.
The parliamentary session was suspended and its live broadcast stopped; Kurti said he was "happy to pay this price" to keep political dialogue alive.
Kurti's Vetevendosje party won the June 7 snap election but lacks the two-thirds majority needed to elect Kosovo's president (reports differ on the seat count: 53 or 58 of 120).
Coalition talks with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK, 18 seats) have stalled over the presidency, and with the deadline to constitute parliament expired, Kosovo risks new elections.
- Who
- Kosovo's acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti; Alliance for the Future of Kosovo MP Time Kadrijaj; and parties including Vetevendosje, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Lumir Abdixhiku, and the Kosovo Democratic Party.
- What
- Kurti was pelted with eggs in Parliament after requesting more time to negotiate a Speaker candidate amid a political deadlock over government formation.
- Where
- Kosovo's Parliament (Assembly) in Pristina.
- When
- Saturday, August 8, 2026, following the June 7 snap parliamentary election; the constitutional deadline for constituting parliament expired the previous Friday.
- Why
- Vetevendosje won the most seats but lacks a governing majority and the two-thirds needed to elect a president; coalition talks with the LDK stalled over the presidency, raising the risk of new elections.
Government (Vetevendosje) position
Opposition position
Time to negotiate vs. pressure to decide
Government (Vetevendosje) position
Kurti says he needs additional time to reach a political agreement and avoid new elections, saying he is "happy to pay this price" to keep political dialogue alive.
Opposition position
Frustrated MPs such as Time Kadrijaj, who threw eggs while shouting "Shame, shame," and rival lawmakers threatening legal action show growing impatience with the prolonged political impasse.
Presidency in coalition deal
Government (Vetevendosje) position
Kurti has rejected including the presidency in any agreement to form a governing coalition.
Opposition position
The LDK demands that the presidency be included in any agreement to form a governing coalition.
Request for extra time in Parliament
Government (Vetevendosje) position
Kurti asked lawmakers for additional time for negotiations instead of presenting a Speaker candidate, citing the lack of an agreement on the presidency.
Opposition position
Rival lawmakers have threatened to pursue legal action against Kurti's request for additional time.
Key facts
- Acting Prime Minister
- Albin Kurti (Vetevendosje)
- Vetevendosje seats in Assembly
- 58 of 120 (WION) or 53 of 120 (News18) - reports differ
- LDK seats in Assembly
- 18
- Kosovo Democratic Party seats
- 22
- Election date
- June 7, 2026 snap parliamentary election
- Egg-throwing MP
- Time Kadrijaj (Alliance for the Future of Kosovo)
- Sticking point
- LDK demands the presidency be included in any coalition agreement; Kurti rejects this
- Risk
- New elections; deadline to constitute parliament (30 days after certification) expired, and a separate two-month deadline governs presidential election
Quotes
Time Kadrijaj
Alliance party Member of Parliament
“"We do not yet have a political agreement. Therefore, in order to avoid new elections, I asked for additional time to present the name of the Speaker of Parliament."”
wionews.com
“I am happy to pay this price.”
news18.com


