Accessibility links

Breaking News

Kosovo Parliament To Disband This Month, Paving The Way For Early Vote


Kosovar President Hashim Thaci (file photo)
Kosovar President Hashim Thaci (file photo)

PRISTINA -- Kosovo's parliament is to hold an extraordinary session on August 22 to disband, allowing the country's president to announce early general elections.

Parliament speaker Kadri Veseli said on August 5 that the parliament's leadership had decided to set a date for the disbanding "to allow the president to automatically set the election day."

After the dissolution, President Hashim Thaci will set a date for the polls, which will have to be held 30 to 45 days later.

Outgoing Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj welcomed the move in a Facebook post, calling it “appropriate action and in accordance with the laws and the constitution of the country.”

Haradinaj resigned as prime minister on July 19 ahead of his questioning by a court in The Hague investigating alleged war crimes by separatist fighters from the Kosovo Liberation Army two decades ago.

He has since acted in the role of a caretaker prime minister.

It was the second time Haradinaj has stepped down as a result of accusations from The Hague.

With reporting by AP

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG