Ethnic Serb party Srpska Lista 28 Dec suspended its participation in Kosovo govt institutions in line with request from Serbian PM Aleksandar Vucic, after Pristina replaced Serb minister for local govt for accompanying Serbian minister who visited northern Kosovo without authorisation from Pristina. Pristina criticised Belgrade’s position as “destructive and unacceptable”. Environment ministry 8 Dec declared construction of concrete wall by Serb authorities on Serb-dominated north side of bridge in Mitrovica early Dec illegal; North Mitrovica mayor Goran Rakic claimed it was “supporting wall” for new development project; parliament 29 Dec voted to remove wall.

Self-Determination (Vetevendosje) party member Astrit Dehari, incarcerated since Aug for allegedly launching grenade in parliament, died in Prizren prison 5 Nov, prompting protest in Pristina 14 Nov demanding international independent investigation. Prizren Chief Prosecutor 18 Nov ruled death suicide by asphyxiation. Kosovo Serb govt coalition partner boycotted govt over law passed in Oct transferring ownership of disputed Trepca to govt, in face of protests from Serbia. Police 4-16 Nov arrested nineteen suspected Islamic State militants reportedly planning simultaneous attacks in Kosovo and Albania.

Parliament 1 Sept delayed vote on controversial border agreement with Montenegro, which was meant to proceed that day, amid ongoing opposition protests. Adoption of deal is one of the conditions for EU visa liberalisation.

Row erupted over nepotism after media website Insajderi 1 Aug released what it claimed were parts of wire-tapped conversations in late 2011 between high-level ruling Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) party officials, including President Thaci (then PM), showing influence over appointments including senior prosecutors and judges. Further leaked conversations released 4, 5 Aug, prompting protests in Pristina. PDK chief Adem Grabovci resigned 17 Aug; chief prosecutor 26 Aug announced investigation into him. Rocket-propelled grenade fired at parliament 4 Aug; police 30 Aug arrested six members of Self-Determination (Vetevendosje) party, which denied role in attack. Hand grenade thrown at public TV station 22 Aug and in Pristina suburb reportedly targeting head of state broadcaster 28 Aug; no injuries. Opposition MPs again released tear gas in parliament 9 Aug during session scheduling vote on controversial Montenegro border agreement 1 Sept. Several hundred ethnic Albanians staged protest preventing Kosovo Serb pilgrims visiting church in west 28 Aug.

Parliament scheduled to debate controversial border demarcation agreement with Montenegro, requirement for EU visa liberalisation and subject of opposition protests, 3 Aug.

Parliament 17 June approved extension of mandate of EU rule-of-law mission EULEX for two years, three days after it expired; also modified mandate to monitoring and advising role.

Leaders of five main parties met 17 May for EU-organised joint roundtable, day after opposition MPs also took part in first meeting of EU-Kosovo Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee. European Commission 4 May recommended visa-free travel regime for Kosovo nationals, also called for Kosovo to tackle organised crime and corruption and ratify border demarcation agreement with Montenegro; further protests against agreement took place 16 May. Briefing UNSC session on Kosovo 16 May, UN envoy Zahir Tanin called for end to political infighting.

Former PM Thaci sworn in as president 7 April; opposition boycotted session, protesters threw stones at parliament; activists disrupted inauguration next day with tear gas. Ad hoc international commission approved border demarcation agreement between Kosovo and Montenegro 30 March, prompting further opposition anger. Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Kosovo and EU entered into force 1 April, welcomed as milestone in EU-Kosovo relationship.

Opposition MPs continued to disrupt parliament sessions with tear gas early month, including 4 March voting in of Hashim Thaçi as president 4 March; protests continued outside parliament. Masked assailants threw Molotov cocktail at president’s office 12 March. Parliament held first undisrupted session of 2016 on 15 March, as opposition boycotted. Opposition repeated calls for early elections. Opposition 25 March announced it would postpone protest planned for next day against election of Thaci as president.

Continued efforts to end political crisis unsuccessful, including 8 Feb meeting between ruling coalition and opposition with EU and U.S. envoys; opposition refused to attend apart from Alliance for the Future of Kosovo leader Ramush Haradinaj, who called for snap elections. Tens of thousands of opposition supporters protested peacefully 17 Feb calling for Aug 2015 agreements with Serbia on association of Serb-majority municipalities, and with Montenegro on border demarcation, to be scrapped, and for govt to step down. Opposition again disrupted parliament 19 Feb, with opposition MPs setting off tear gas in chamber, nine arrested; also set off tear gas during sessions 24 and 26 Feb, when FM and former PM Hashim Thaci was elected president. Opposition supporters protesting outside parliament clashed with police 26 Feb.