In the aftermath of the recent Kosovo elections, the political environment has become increasingly complex, with no party poised to form a government independently.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party, Vetëvendosje (Self-Determination Movement), has failed to secure enough seats for a majority, leading to uncertainty regarding potential coalitions.

The election results indicate that Kurti's party will not be able to establish a government without the support of other parties.

The prospect of forming a coalition is complicated by recent tensions and heated exchanges between Kurti and opposition factions on election night.

Most opposition parties have firmly rejected the notion of aligning with Vetëvendosje, creating a challenging political landscape.

However, Fatmir Ljimaj, leader of the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA), has expressed willingness to collaborate with Kurti in forming a government.

This statement has been met with mixed reactions within NISMA, as candidate Zafir Beriša declared the party's intent not to form an alliance with Vetëvendosje and emphasized a commitment to opposition governance.

NISMA campaigned in coalition with the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), founded by Ramuš Haradinaj, who responded to Ljimaj's comments by condemning Kurti as detrimental to political stability.

The Serbian List, representing the Serbian community in Kosovo, has secured nine seats in this election cycle, down from the ten it previously held, with one seat won by Nenad Rašić of the party 'For Freedom, Justice, and Survival.'

According to Marko Milenković from the non-governmental organization Nova društvena inicijativa, the mandate holder from the party with the most seats has 30 days to form a coalition.

Failure to do so would transfer the mandate to the next party in line.

Milenković noted that Kurti might bypass the Serbian List but would need to negotiate support from other minority parties and potentially from NISMA, which holds three seats.

The uncertainties surrounding these negotiations raise questions about the willingness of minority parties to engage with Kurti's government.

There are indications that minority representatives, including those from Roma and Bosniak communities, may require additional guarantees before considering participation in Kurti's government.

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), a major opposition party, has made it clear that it will not enter a government under Kurti, asserting that they do not have sufficient strength to lead but prefer to stay in opposition.

Opposition parties, including the AAK and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (DPK), led by Memlji Krasniqi and associated with previous leader Hashim Thaçi, appear to be organizing for a potential opposition coalition.

Their ability to form a government hinges on negotiations with the Serbian List and the alignment of other minority parties.

Ljeart Hodža, editor at ATV, highlighted concerns over a prolonged political stalemate, suggesting that the initial months following the elections will see minimal progress.

The current verification and counting process has extended beyond a month, and there is speculation that new elections could be on the horizon if a coalition is not established soon.

The political dynamics further complicate with the upcoming presidential elections in April of the following year, at which point 80 lawmakers must be present for the election to proceed.

Failure to meet this requirement would automatically trigger extraordinary elections.

Political analysts caution that the current situation reflects broader geopolitical uncertainties, including potential changes in international relations that could impact Kosovo’s political climate.

The interdependence of developments in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina with Kosovo’s situation adds another layer of complexity.

As the political landscape in Kosovo remains fluid, the coming weeks will be critical in determining how parties will navigate coalition-building or whether the nation will face further electoral challenges.