Kosovo's new government faces court challenge and presidential crisis

Kosovo's parliament re-elected Albin Kurti as prime minister on September 13, but his new government immediately faces a legal challenge and a presidential election crisis that could trigger another snap vote. The 120-seat assembly approved Kurti's cabinet with 62 votes in a session boycotted by opposition parties, ending a three-month period of government paralysis following the June election. The opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo, or PDK, filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court on September 15, alleging the parliamentary inauguration was unconstitutional and that the vote re-electing Kurti was invalid. A PDK member of parliament stated the party considers the parliament was inaugurated in violation of the constitution. The filing is the second in two days, following an initial complaint about the inauguration rules. The political instability deepened on September 14 when Bekim Sejdiu, the sole candidate for president, withdrew his candidacy. Sejdiu cited a lack of necessary parliamentary support and internal political clashes.