From The Rio Times · Contributing Reporter · · 2m
Who Holds Power in Kosovo in 2026
Kosovo's prime minister and president clash over law to weaken Hague war crimes court.
In brief
Kosovo's prime minister and president clash over law to weaken Hague war crimes court. Kosovo's prime minister Albin Kurti and president Justina Shiroka Pula are fighting over a law that would limit the Hague war crimes court's powers, with the EU backing the government's return of the bill. Originally reported by The…
Kosovo's Power Structure
Kosovo is a parliamentary republic with a 120-seat Assembly that elects the president and prime minister.
Prime Minister Albin Kurti
Albin Kurti, leader of the left-nationalist Vetëvendosje party, became prime minister with 62 votes in the 120-seat Assembly on 13 September 2026.
President Justina Shiroka Pula
Justina Shiroka Pula, 73, was elected president on 7 October 2026 with 81 votes, one more than the 80 needed.
Vetëvendosje's Majority
Vetëvendosje holds 53 of 120 seats in the Assembly and needs minority-party MPs to govern, with the next regular election due in 2030.
Hague Court Law Fight
The Assembly passed a law on 6 October 2026 to narrow the Hague war crimes court's powers, but the president sent it back on 22 October 2026.
Law's Key Changes
The law would limit the court's jurisdiction to organ trafficking, cover only events between 1 July 1999 and 31 December 2000, cap sentences at 15 years, and allow presidential pardons.
EU's Response
The European External Action Service said the amendments run against Kosovo's international obligations and welcomed the president's return of the law.
Constitutional Court Ruling
The Constitutional Court found the Assembly was constituted after the legal deadline but ruled the government's election was constitutional on 24 September 2026.
US Connection
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 with strong US backing, and a NATO-led peacekeeping force still serves there with US troops.
What's Next
No date has been set for the Assembly's vote on the returned law, and the next regular election is not scheduled until 2030.
The one thing
Kosovo's prime minister Albin Kurti and president Justina Shiroka Pula are fighting over a law that would limit the Hague war crimes court's powers, with the EU backing the government's return of the bill.
