EU-brokered deal between Kosovo and Serbia unifying Kosovo’s justice system by integrating Kosovo Serb judicial personnel into Kosovo judiciary set to come into force 17 Oct, however Kosovo Serb judges (42) and prosecutors (fourteen) did not appear at presidency to take oath; Kosovo President Thaci blamed Serbia. Local elections in 38 municipalities passed smoothly 22 Oct; results saw Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) gain support compared with June general election performance, while Vetevendosje (Self-determination) party gained smaller vote share. 28 municipalities including Pristina to go to run-off vote scheduled for 19 Nov.

PAN coalition, which won most seats in 11 June snap elections (39 out of 120), signed agreement 4 Sept with New Alliance for Kosovo party (which has four seats), helping end deadlock on appointment of new parliament speaker and govt. PAN 6 Sept reached agreement with main Kosovo Serb party Srpska Lista to support election of Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK)’s Kadri Veseli as new speaker; parliament elected Veseli new speaker next day and President Thaci nominated Ramush Haradinaj (Alliance for the Future of Kosovo) as PM. Parliament 9 Sept approved Haradinaj’s govt by 61 of 120 votes; Haradinaj told MPs there is “no alternative to dialogue with Serbia”. Serbia 12 Sept announced that Russia’s ruling United Russia party had lent its support to Srpska Lista to enter Kosovo govt, following meeting between Srpska Lista president and United Russia delegation. Haradinaj 10 Sept said he would reassess controversial border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, ratification of which is a condition for EU to unblock visa-free access; 12 Sept appointed new demarcation team.

Process of constituting parliament following 11 June snap elections blocked after PAN coalition, which won most seats in election (39 out of 120), repeatedly boycotted parliamentary session intended to appoint new speaker. EU officials and Western ambassadors urged swift end to political deadlock to allow for reform process to proceed; UN mission chief warned country missing out on financial aid and investment. Vetevendosje and Democratic League of Kosovo parties in talks on possible coalition agreement late month. Foreign Minister Enver Hoxhaj rejected proposal by his Serbian counterpart to modify boundaries between Kosovo’s ethnic Serb and Albanian enclaves and give Serbs autonomy, in return for Serbia giving up claim to Kosovo. Kosovo and Serbian presidents met in Brussels 31 Aug to discuss continuation of normalisation dialogue; EU foreign policy chief Mogherini said they had agreed on final steps to implement EU-facilitated deal on integrating courts in Serb-dominated northern Kosovo justice system by 17 Oct.

Discussions to form coalition govt following 11 June snap general elections continued. Several leading Kosovo politicians including foreign minister welcomed call in 24 July article by Serbian President Vučić for Serbia to “stop burying its head in sand” on Kosovo and start “internal dialogue”, be “realistic” and “not expect to receive what we have lost long ago”.

Fourteen-party coalition led by Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) and Initiative for Kosovo (NISMA), all headed by former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) members, won 33.74% of vote in 11 June snap general elections, giving them 39 of 120 seats in parliament; Vetevendosje (Self-Determination Movement) came second with 27.49% (32 seats), doubling its vote share since 2014 poll; Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK)-led coalition, headed by outgoing PM Mustafa, came third with 25.53% (29 seats). Turnout reported at 41.3%, OSCE said poll “orderly” and without major irregularities/incidents. Vetevendosje and LDK coalition both ruled out coalition with PDK-led coalition. UN 28 June issued report on increased influence of violent extremist groups in Kosovo.

President Thaci 10 May dissolved parliament and called for snap elections after coalition govt lost confidence vote, called by opposition NISMA party which accused govt of failing to meet campaign pledges and creating public mistrust; elections set for 11 June. Confidence vote and snap elections forced further postponement of parliamentary vote on controversial border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, which needs to be ratified to proceed with EU visa liberalisation, and which has been focal point of opposition criticism; also forces suspension of EU-backed normalisation talks with Serbia.

President Thaci 4 April announced he was attempting to ensure support from all Kosovo’s communities for constitutional changes to broaden powers and responsibilities of Kosovo Security Force, rather than attempting to bypass them as previously planned. Thaci 20 April urged parliament to ratify controversial agreement on border demarcation with Montenegro, precondition for EU visa liberalisation. French court 27 April refused to grant Serbian request for extradition of former Kosovo Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj; ruling prompted protest from Serbia, where he is wanted on war crimes charges.

President Thaci 7 March submitted bill to parliament speaker proposing changes to Law on Kosovo Security Force (KSF) that would broaden its powers and responsibilities without need for approval from Kosovo Serb MPs. Kosovo Serb MPs late March ended six-month boycott of parliament, citing in part need to oppose transformation of KSF. NATO Sec Gen Stoltenberg expressed “serious concern” about move to transform KSF into an army without constitutional changes or obtaining consent from all communities in Kosovo. Reopening of newly-renovated bridge across Ibar river in Mitrovica delayed until May, reportedly due to ethnic tensions. France again postponed extradition hearing of former PM Ramush Haradinaj, wanted in Serbia on war crimes charges; thousands protested in Pristina 4 March calling for his release. Retrial began late March of prominent Kosovo Serb politician Oliver Ivanović, sentenced by EULEX judges Jan 2016 to nine years’ jail for war crimes. Politician and lawyer Azem Vllasi wounded by gunman in Pristina 20 March; “People’s Eye” organisation 22 March claimed responsibility.

EU-brokered meeting between Kosovo and Serbian PMs and presidents in Brussels 1 Feb failed to calm tensions. EU foreign policy chief Mogherini reported “constructive engagement” with both sides reconfirming commitment to dialogue, however anonymous diplomatic sources said no results. NATO Sec Gen Jens Stoltenberg 3 Feb urged Pristina and Belgrade to ease tensions, move from rhetoric to dialogue and move forward normalisation process. Kosovo Serbs 5 Feb demolished unauthorised concrete wall they constructed in Dec 2016 dividing Mitrovica, following meeting previous day between local Kosovo Serb leaders and Pristina officials, facilitated by EU and U.S. officials, resulting in agreement to ease tensions. President Thaci 13 Feb announced new Truth and Reconciliation Commission to deal with alleged atrocities during 1998-99 war and improve relations between ethnic Serbs and Albanians. Govt-appointed commission 21 Feb found that 2015 border deal with Montenegro did not result in loss of Kosovo territory as claimed by opposition parties who refuse to ratify deal, thus blocking its ratification in parliament, which is a condition of EU visa liberalisation.

Tensions spiked with Serbia following 14 Jan reopening of railway between Belgrade and northern Mitrovica town in ethnic Serb part of Kosovo, closed since 1999, with Serbian train painted with slogan “Kosovo is Serbia” in 21 languages. Serbia stopped train before border, claiming Kosovo was planning to attack it, after Kosovo ordered its authorities to block it, saying it was provocative. Serbian PM Vucic accused Kosovo of trying to provoke “large-scale conflict”, while President Nikolic 15 Jan warned sides had been on “brink of war”, said Serbia ready to send troops to defend Serbs in Kosovo if necessary. Kosovo President Thaci 16 Jan said Belgrade plotting to annex northern Kosovo. Tensions also fuelled by France’s 4 Jan arrest, acting on Serbian warrant, of former PM Ramush Haradinaj on charges of war crimes; French court 12 Jan released him from custody, decision on extradition request from Belgrade pending. Kosovo and Serbian PMs and presidents met in Brussels 24 Jan for EU-mediated talks; EU foreign policy chief Mogherini called on them to put aside differences. President Thaci said meeting succeeded in lowering tension, however his remark that Serbian leaders had started to recognise Kosovo’s independence drew sharp response from Serbian PM Vucic; next meeting scheduled for 1 Feb. Hand grenade damaged new govt building in northern Mitrovica 10 Jan, no casualties.