Kosovo begins deadline that could force new election

Kosovo’s acting president is expected to set the date for parliament’s first sitting on Friday, starting a constitutional clock that could send the country back to an election.

Once parliament is formed, lawmakers will have 60 days to elect a new president. Failure would automatically dissolve the assembly, potentially triggering Kosovo’s fourth parliamentary election since February last year.

Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje won 53 of 120 seats and appears able to form a government with minority parties.

But electing a president requires at least 80 MPs to attend the first two rounds. Talks with the LDK, whose support could provide that number, are suspended amid an internal party dispute.