Lawmakers in the Republic of Kosovo have voted to collapse Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s government after he refused to install protective measures against the spread of the coronavirus in the European country.
Kurti’s government was dismissed by a 82-32 vote of no confidence on Wednesday after weeks of downplaying concerns about the pandemic. On March 19, the leader tweeted that “a state of emergency is unnecessary and baseless.”
This week, Kurti implemented new measures to curb movement within the country after more than 60 people died from the illness, but his refusal to declare a state of emergency drove leaders from within his own political party to form a coalition against him. Such a declaration would have given more power to his rival, President Hashim Thaci.
United States Ambassador to Kosovo Philip S. Kosnett welcomed the vote, suggesting Kurti did not “respect the Constitution” after the prime minister spent weeks arguing with foreign ministers over a proposed American peace deal in the region.
French and German officials rejected the vote, however, saying in a statement shared to Facebook that “Kosovo needs a stable and fully functioning government to deal with this crisis.” Additionally, more than 10,000 citizens in Kosovo signed a petition rejecting the no-confidence vote and accused politicians of a “lack of responsibility for the public interest and civic welfare.”
Kurti will remain as prime minister until a new government is formed, but it remains unclear how Kosovo will hold elections as the number of people infected by the coronavirus continues to accelerate in Europe and around the globe.
