2026 Kosovan presidential election

2026 Kosovan presidential election
← 2021
3 or 4 March 2026
2031 →
 
Nominee Vjosa Osmani
Party Independent
President before election

Vjosa Osmani
Guxo

Elected President

TBD

The parliament of Kosovo is due to hold an indirect election for president of Kosovo in 2026, with a second or third round of voting if necessary.

The constitution states that the presidential election must be held on or before 30 days prior to the end of the current president's term. This will be the sixth presidential election in Kosovo since 2008, when Kosovo declared its independence.

Background

The incumbent president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, took office on 4 April 2021[1] and her term is due to end on 4 April 2026.[2] Osmani would be eligible for re-election for a second and final five-year term in 2026.[3]

Electoral system

Initially, a candidate is required to receive at least 80 votes, equivalent to two-thirds of the 120 members of the Assembly, in order to be elected.[3] However, if no candidate succeeds during the first two rounds, a third round is held between the top two candidates of the second round, and the requirement is reduced to a simple majority of 61 votes.[3][4] If the third round also does not produce a successful candidate, the Assembly is dissolved, with new elections to take place within 45 days.[3]

Candidates

Confirmed

Expressed interest

  • On 1 January 2026, the current President, Vjosa Osmani, announced that she would seek the confidence of the Members of Parliament for a second term. In her statement, she emphasized her commitment to continuing the institutional reforms she has initiated and to further strengthening democracy, the rule of law, and Kosovo's international standing.[5]
  • On 26 February 2026, former Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Arsim Bajrami, announced his candidacy for president and addressed the leaders of the Albanian political parties to seek their support.[6]
Individuals who have expressed an interest in running for Kosovan Presidential Election

Speculated by the media

Potential candidates

Declined

  • On 13 January 2026, several media outlets reported that a potential candidate of Vetëvendosje! for President of Kosovo could be the former mayor of Skenderaj and the nephew of one of the founders of the Kosovo Liberation Army, Adem Jashari, Bekim Jashari.[8]
  • On 23 February 2026, Kosovar-American businessman Harry Bajraktari (born Hajdar Bajraktari)[9][10] denied media reports claiming that he was lobbying to become President of Kosovo. He described the allegations as untrue and stated that he continues to support President Vjosa Osmani and has not expressed interest in running for president.[11]
  • On 25 February 2026, Murat Jashari of the Jashari family stated that neither he nor any other family member is interested in becoming President of Kosovo.[12] Bekim Jashari also reiterated this position, stating that he had nothing to add to Murat Jashari’s remarks and dismissing any speculation about a presidential candidacy.[13]
  • On 26 February 2026, former Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj stated that he is not a candidate for president and does not have the 30 out of 120 signatures required to nominate him.[14]

Leadership approval

Vjosa Osmani

The polls below asked voters for their opinion of Vjosa Osmani, president of Kosovo since April 2021.

Pollster Date Approve Disapprove Lead
UNDP 25 July 2024 69.0 31.0 38.0
Albanian Post 28 June 2024 67.8 32.2 35.6
UNDP 28 February 2024 56.2 43.8 12.4
UNDP 25 April 2023 60.3 39.7 20.6

See also

References

  1. ^ "Vjosa Osmani zgjidhet Presidente e Kosovës" (in Albanian). Telegrafi. 4 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Vjosa Osmani zgjidhet presidente e Kosovës" (in Albanian). Gazeta Express. 4 April 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Kushtetuta e Republikës së Kosovës" (pdf). gzk.rks-gov.net (in Albanian). p. Article 86.
  4. ^ "Presidenca". Portali Shtetëror (in Albanian). Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2021-04-08.
  5. ^ "Vjosa Osmani rikandidon për Presidente: Nëse deputetët nuk votojnë i futem politikës". MAPO. January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  6. ^ "Arsim Bajrami vihet në dispozicion për President, u shkruan letër katër liderëve partiakë". Gazeta Express. February 26, 2026. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
  7. ^ ""Ukë Rugova President ose Kryetar i Kuvendit" – Canaj zbulon se janë zhvilluar bisedime mes LDK-së dhe VV-së". Gazeta Blic. January 7, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  8. ^ "Dikush po thotë që Bekim Jashari është kandidat i Kurtit për President. A është kjo e vërtetë?". Nacionale. January 13, 2026. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  9. ^ "Bajraktari: Shqiptarët duhet të vazhdojnë lobizmin ndaj Uashingtonit" [Bajraktari: Albanians should continue lobbying in Washington] (in Albanian). Voice of America. 26 February 2010.
  10. ^ ""Një jetë mes Kosovës dhe Amerikës" e Hajdar Bajraktarit" [“A Life Between Kosovo and America” by Hajdar Bajraktari] (in Albanian). Bota Sot. 19 March 2012.
  11. ^ "Bajraktari mohon raportimin se po lobon për t'u bërë president: Vazhdoj me përkrahje për Vjosa Osmanin" [Bajraktari denies reports that he is lobbying to become president: I continue to support Vjosa Osmani]. Veriu.info (in Albanian). 23 February 2026.
  12. ^ "EKSKLUZIVE S'ka President nga Familja Jashari". VOX Kosova. February 25, 2026. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
  13. ^ ""I have nothing to add to Murat's words", Bekim Jashari dispels dilemmas about the presidency". Telegrafi. February 25, 2026.
  14. ^ "Haradinaj: Nuk jam kandidat për president". Sinjali. February 26, 2026. Retrieved February 26, 2026.
allikas: Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Kosovan_presidential_election