Kosovo Faces Political Crisis and Potential New Elections Amid Violent Protests Over War Crimes Court

Kosovo is facing the risk of deep turmoil as protests against the convictions of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders coincide with a midnight deadline to elect a president. Demonstrators have called for changes to the law governing the Hague-based Kosovo Specialist Chambers, including measures affecting prison terms and where convicted individuals serve their sentences. These demonstrations follow the September 16 convictions of former KLA leaders, such as former President Hashim Thaci.

The protesters' demands have become entangled with ongoing negotiations over the presidency, raising the prospect of new elections if lawmakers fail to reach an agreement. November 15 has emerged as a likely date for a new vote. Political analyst Artan Muhaxhiri told Al Jazeera that new elections do not promise anything particularly positive and that the chances of radical political change remain slim. He warned that if a president is not elected by midnight, a new vote will take place in a tense political climate.

In 2015, the Specialist Chambers were established under Kosovo law following international investigations into alleged war crimes committed by KLA members during and after the 1998-99 conflict. Although formally part of Kosovo’s judicial system, the court sits in The Hague and remains contentious because the KLA is widely revered for having fought against Serbian rule.

In September, protests erupted after the court sentenced Hashim Thaci to 25 years in prison. Following this, the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), formerly led by Thaci, proposed amendments to curb the tribunal. On October 2, 2026, Prime Minister Albi Kurti’s government concluded there were no legal obstacles to the PDK initiative and forwarded its assessment to the Assembly of Kosovo, which approved it at first reading with 91 votes in favour.

Meanwhile, Kosovo has been mired in a political impasse following the expiration of President Vjosa Osmani’s term in April, as the National Assembly has been unable to select a new successor. Internal power struggles within the PDK have left the party fragmented and incapable of negotiating a cross-party presidential compromise, according to Pristina-based political science professor Nexhmedin Spahiu.

On Monday, as lawmakers failed to secure a quorum to elect a president, police deployed tear gas and water cannon outside the Assembly following confrontations involving fireworks and bottles. Pristina-based journalist Gezim Baxhaku believes special police units overstepped their legal authority and used an overuse of force, noting that protesters had previously maintained largely peaceful gatherings for nearly three weeks.

Professor Spahiu noted that the protests should not be interpreted as a sign that the public broadly rejects the verdicts, adding that a large majority of citizens are actually satisfied with the decision of the Specialist Chambers. However, the Assembly remains deadlocked as the PDK and other opposition parties boycott voting sessions, denying the legislature its required 80-MP quorum. Artan Muhaxhiri blamed Prime Minister Albi Kurti for the crisis, criticizing his decision to link the presidential vote directly to the Hague court amendments.