Opposition lawmaker Time Kadrijaj threw eggs at Kosovo acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti on Saturday, August 8, forcing parliament to suspend its session. The incident occurred during a political crisis that risks triggering new snap elections in Europe's youngest democracy.
Kosovo has held three elections in less than two years, with successive parliaments collapsing under deep political divisions. Kurti had been leading negotiations for several days with opposition parties over appointing a new president. He was trying to delay a crucial vote when Kadrijaj launched projectiles filled with egg yolk at him.
Kadrijaj yelled shame on him as she threw the eggs at the leader, who was seated in the front row of parliament. The speaker of the assembly requested that the live broadcast be cut, and security officers rushed to protect Kurti.
Unfazed by the attack, Kurti stated that if having eggs thrown at him was the price to pay for dialogue, he was happy to pay that price. Despite his response, assembly proceedings were suspended.
Parliamentary disruptions and political deadlock
The 51-year-old acting prime minister is no stranger to chaotic parliamentary scenes. Members of Kurti's own party previously launched tear gas inside the chamber to protest votes when they were in opposition.
Kurti's Vetevendosje party won the highest number of seats in the parliamentary elections in June, securing enough votes to govern. However, electing a new president requires a two-thirds majority, obliging the party to negotiate with opposition groups without success so far.
Kosovo's political situation returned to uncertainty after the constitutional deadline to form parliament expired on Friday. Lawmakers threatened legal action after the acting prime minister requested additional time for negotiations.
