Politics
Monday, March 2, 2026
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The Kosovo Assembly fails to be constituted even in the 16th attempt
In the 16th attempt to constitute the new Assembly, the deputies again failed to overcome the institutional blockade. The chairman of the session again asked the parties to propose members for the commission that would enable the vote to elect the Speaker of the Assembly. However, the commission did not receive the necessary votes. As a result, the Assembly remained unconstituted again.
Politics
Formation of a committee without a secret ballot fails again
Even in the continuation of today's constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo, the chairman of the session asked the parties to propose one member each for the commission for secret ballot in the election of the Speaker of the Assembly.
Although the opposition parties did not propose any members for this commission, it was put to the vote, but again did not receive the necessary votes.
Although the opposition parties did not propose any members for this commission, it was put to the vote, but again did not receive the necessary votes.
Politics
Parliament fails again to form a committee without a composition as the opposition does not propose names
In the continuation of today's constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo, the chair of the session asked the parties to propose one member each for the secret ballot committee in the election of the Speaker of the Assembly.
Although the opposition parties did not propose any members for this committee, it was put to the vote, but did not receive the necessary votes. The session is expected to continue on May 9.
Although the opposition parties did not propose any members for this committee, it was put to the vote, but did not receive the necessary votes. The session is expected to continue on May 9.
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Albanian secures second term as Prime Minister
Anthony Albanese has secured a second term as Prime Minister of Australia, after the Labor Party emerged victorious in the 2025 federal election. This is the first time a Labor leader has managed to win two consecutive terms since 2004.
Labor's victory was attributed to its focus on issues that matter to voters, such as the rising cost of living, healthcare and housing affordability. The party maintained its positions in key areas such as the Hunter and Paterson and also made gains in traditionally conservative territories.
Meanwhile, the Liberal-National coalition led by Peter Dutton suffered significant losses, especially in Queensland and Tasmania. Dutton himself faced the risk of losing his seat in Dickson, reflecting the opposition's wider difficulties. Analysts have criticised Dutton's leadership for being disconnected from the realities of ordinary citizens and for controversial policies such as the elimination of teleworking for public servants and major cuts to the public sector, which are believed to have undermined the coalition's economic credibility.
Labor's victory was attributed to its focus on issues that matter to voters, such as the rising cost of living, healthcare and housing affordability. The party maintained its positions in key areas such as the Hunter and Paterson and also made gains in traditionally conservative territories.
Meanwhile, the Liberal-National coalition led by Peter Dutton suffered significant losses, especially in Queensland and Tasmania. Dutton himself faced the risk of losing his seat in Dickson, reflecting the opposition's wider difficulties. Analysts have criticised Dutton's leadership for being disconnected from the realities of ordinary citizens and for controversial policies such as the elimination of teleworking for public servants and major cuts to the public sector, which are believed to have undermined the coalition's economic credibility.
Attempt to hold secret ballot for Assembly Speaker fails again
In today's constitutive session of the Assembly of Kosovo, the proposal to form a secret ballot committee for the election of the Speaker of the Assembly was again rejected. The chairman of the session, Avni Dehari, proposed secret ballot as a form and a way to unblock the constitution process. However, the proposal did not receive sufficient votes. As a result, the secret ballot was not carried out, further postponing the formation of new institutions.
The tenth attempt to constitute the Assembly (VIDEO)
The Assembly of Kosovo is launching its tenth attempt to convene today, following the lack of consensus on the election of the Speaker. In the previous session of the Assembly of Kosovo, the proposal for a secret ballot to elect the Speaker of the Assembly was rejected. The Chair of the session, Avni Dehari, proposed this form of voting as a way to unblock the constitution process, referring to the possibilities offered by the Rules of Procedure of the Assembly and the decisions of the Constitutional Court.
However, the proposal did not receive sufficient votes from the deputies and was particularly opposed by the opposition parties, which considered it unacceptable and unconstitutional. As a result, the secret ballot was not held, further postponing the formation of the new institutions. The Assembly continues today its new attempt to elect the chairman of the new legislature, with the session expected to begin at 10:00.
However, the proposal did not receive sufficient votes from the deputies and was particularly opposed by the opposition parties, which considered it unacceptable and unconstitutional. As a result, the secret ballot was not held, further postponing the formation of the new institutions. The Assembly continues today its new attempt to elect the chairman of the new legislature, with the session expected to begin at 10:00.
Party advertising spending in line with results
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has made public the unaudited financial declaration reports of the election campaign for the parliamentary elections of February 9, 2025, providing a clear overview of how political parties have spent funds during the election period.
The category of advertising, representation and organization of conferences is led by the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), reporting an amount of 1,182,518.63 euros. It is followed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) with 459,200.91 euros, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 334,370.41 euros and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) with 243,087.79 euros.
Interestingly, the amounts reported for marketing also coincide with the rankings that these parties had in the elections, suggesting a possible link between campaign investment and electoral performance. It is worth noting that the reports are still awaiting final audit.
The category of advertising, representation and organization of conferences is led by the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), reporting an amount of 1,182,518.63 euros. It is followed by the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) with 459,200.91 euros, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 334,370.41 euros and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) with 243,087.79 euros.
Interestingly, the amounts reported for marketing also coincide with the rankings that these parties had in the elections, suggesting a possible link between campaign investment and electoral performance. It is worth noting that the reports are still awaiting final audit.
Rubio urges two nuclear powers to avoid escalation
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has called for calm between India and Pakistan after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 Hindu tourists.
In separate phone calls with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio expressed condolences for the victims and stressed the need for the two countries to work together to maintain peace and security in South Asia.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting the perpetrators of the attack, a charge Islamabad has vehemently denied. As a result, tensions have escalated significantly, including the expulsion of diplomats from both sides, the closure of airspace, and daily exchanges of fire along the Line of Control in Kashmir.
India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers, which makes the situation even more sensitive and dangerous. According to the latest data from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), India possesses about 160 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has an arsenal of about 170 nuclear warheads.
Along with the military escalation, the Indus Waters Treaty, the 1960 treaty that regulates the sharing of water resources between India and Pakistan, has also been brought back into the spotlight. Indian officials have threatened to cancel the agreement. Islamabad has called the potential water embargo an “act of war,” warning that such a move could lead to an immediate escalation of the conflict between the two nuclear powers. These developments make diplomatic intervention to preserve peace all the more urgent. A clash between the two nuclear powers, based on territorial disputes and tensions over vital resources such as water, could lead to catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond.
In separate phone calls with Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rubio expressed condolences for the victims and stressed the need for the two countries to work together to maintain peace and security in South Asia.
India has accused Pakistan of supporting the perpetrators of the attack, a charge Islamabad has vehemently denied. As a result, tensions have escalated significantly, including the expulsion of diplomats from both sides, the closure of airspace, and daily exchanges of fire along the Line of Control in Kashmir.
India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers, which makes the situation even more sensitive and dangerous. According to the latest data from the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), India possesses about 160 nuclear warheads, while Pakistan has an arsenal of about 170 nuclear warheads.
Along with the military escalation, the Indus Waters Treaty, the 1960 treaty that regulates the sharing of water resources between India and Pakistan, has also been brought back into the spotlight. Indian officials have threatened to cancel the agreement. Islamabad has called the potential water embargo an “act of war,” warning that such a move could lead to an immediate escalation of the conflict between the two nuclear powers. These developments make diplomatic intervention to preserve peace all the more urgent. A clash between the two nuclear powers, based on territorial disputes and tensions over vital resources such as water, could lead to catastrophic consequences for the region and beyond.