How a President Burned the House to Save the Seat

Osmani’s abrupt dissolution of Parliament isn't a constitutional remedy; it’s a calculated arson of the legislative branch to bypass a boycott her own allies provoked.

The political crisis that erupted in Kosovo in early March has exposed deep fractures in the country’s political system, raising questions about constitutional authority, electoral legitimacy and the balance of power between institutions.

In the space of less than twenty four hours, Kosovo moved from a failed parliamentary session to elect a president to a presidential decree dissolving parliament and calling new elections. The decision¹ by President Vjosa Osmani has now triggered a constitutional dispute that may ultimately be decided by the Constitutional Court.

The crisis began on the evening of March 5, when the Assembly of Kosovo convened to initiate the process of electing the country’s next president. According to the constitution, the parliament must hold several rounds of voting to elect a head of state.

But the session collapsed before the process could even begin.

Only sixty six lawmakers were present in the chamber, all belonging to the governing coalition led by the Self Deter…