PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo’s new Parliament on Wednesday swiftly approved a new government led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, ending a yearlong political deadlock in the Balkan country.
Lawmakers backed Kurti’s Cabinet with 66 votes for and 49 against in the 120-member assembly. The vote was held just hours after Parliament convened for the first time since a snap election in December.
Kurti secured a new mandate after his Self-Determination party won 57 seats in Parliament in December. The party formed an alliance with several ethnic minority groups.
In his speech before Parliament, Kurti pledged to fight corruption and invest in defense in the nation of some 2 million people.
“Today we are the most democratic country in the region, an achievement of both our society and our institutions and this standard must be preserved and advanced,” Kurti said.
Lawmakers earlier on Wednesday chose former justice minister Albulena Haxhiu as Parliament speaker.
The snap ballot on Dec. 28 was scheduled after the Self-Determination party failed to form a government despite winning the most votes in a February 2025 election. This led to a crippling political deadlock throughout last year.
The new Parliament’s formation was further delayed by a recount vote over widespread irregularities.
A former Serbian province, Kosovo declared independence in 2008 following a 1998-99 war that ended after a U.S.-led NATO intervention. Serbia does not recognize the split and tensions have simmered ever since.
The new Parliament needs to approve this year’s budget that has been delayed because of the political crisis. Lawmakers also are set to elect a new president in March as current President Vjosa Osmani’s mandate expires in early April.
Prime Minister Kurti, 50, came to power in 2021 after also briefly occupying the role in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A former political prisoner during Serbia’s rule in Kosovo, Kurti has taken a tough stand in talks mediated by the European Union on normalizing relations with Belgrade. Kosovo and Serbia have been told they must normalize ties if they wish to join the 27-nation bloc.
Washington and its allies have recognized Kosovo’s independence while Russia and China have sided with Serbia in the dispute.
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Associated Press Writer Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade, Serbia.