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Albin Kurti was pelted with eggs in Kosovo's Parliament after asking for more time to name a Speaker candidate. The protest laid bare the deadlock over coalition talks and the presidency that has delayed a new government.
The protest showed the deep political divisions that have left Kosovo without a stable government for nearly two years. (Credits: Reuters)
UPDATED: Aug 8, 2026 21:03 IST
Kosovo's acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti was pelted with eggs inside Parliament on Saturday after telling lawmakers he needed more time to negotiate with rival parties before proposing a candidate for Speaker, highlighting the prolonged political impasse in the Balkan nation.
The incident unfolded moments after Kurti addressed Parliament, saying discussions with other political parties were still underway and that additional time was necessary to avoid another round of elections.
"We do not yet have a political agreement. Therefore, in order to avoid new elections, I asked for additional time to present the name of the Speaker of Parliament," Kurti told lawmakers.
Shortly after his remarks, Alliance party MP Time Kadrijaj pulled eggs from her purse and hurled them toward the Prime Minister while shouting, "Shame, shame." Members of Kurti's Vetevendosje party, along with police officers present inside the chamber, quickly intervened to prevent the situation from escalating further.
WHY THE ATTACK?
The dramatic protest underscored the deep political divisions that have left Kosovo without a stable government for nearly two years.
Kurti's Vetevendosje party emerged as the largest party in the June snap parliamentary election, securing 58 seats in the 120-member Assembly. While the party requires support from only a handful of smaller minority parties to form a government, it lacks the two-thirds parliamentary majority needed to elect the country's president.
To break the deadlock, Vetevendosje has been negotiating with the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), which won 18 seats in the election. However, coalition talks have stalled over the presidency, with the LDK insisting that the post be part of any governing agreement. Kurti has so far rejected the demand.
The continued stalemate has delayed the formation of a new government and raised concerns over Kosovo's political stability. Kurti maintained that more time was needed to secure a workable agreement that could prevent the country from heading back to the polls once again.
- Ends
With Reuters inputs
Published By:
Ritaban Misra
Published On:
Aug 8, 2026 21:03 IST
