The Kosovo Assembly has elected Justina Shiroka-Pula as the country's new president in the first round of voting early on October 7, narrowly avoiding a new snap election. 

The constitutional deadline for electing a president expired at midnight on October 6. Deputies nevertheless continued the voting process, with the final vote cast at 00:03 on October 7, when Shiroka-Pula was elected president.

Shiroka-Pula, head of the Kosovo Academy of Sciences and Arts, was a last-minute proposal by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Koha.net reported.

The nomination was accepted by Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) leader Bedri Hamza, while PDK MP Eliza Hoxha was put forward as the counter-candidate.

The extraordinary Assembly session, which had two items on the agenda, began around 35 minutes before midnight, when the deadline for electing a president expired.

Deputies first voted on amendments to the Law on the Specialized Chambers, which had been a key demand of the PDK, before moving to the presidential vote.

Shiroka-Pula secured 81 votes in favour in the first round, after which she took the presidential oath.

Former president Vjosa Osmani's mandate ended earlier this year, after which Albulena Haxhiu has served as acting president on a temporary basis.

The deadline had been set by the Constitutional Court, and parliament's failure to elect a president could have triggered the constitutional process leading to early parliamentary elections — potentially Kosovo's fourth election cycle in less than two years.

The vote followed a last-minute agreement over amendments to the Law on the Specialist Chambers, which had been demanded by the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK).

Earlier on October 6, the Assembly approved the draft amendments with 88 votes in favour, removing one of the main obstacles to PDK's participation in the presidential process.

Kurti had linked the legislation to the presidential vote, offering to support the amendments if PDK committed to participating in the election of a president.

Despite the late parliamentary activity, the parties failed to secure the necessary agreement before the constitutional deadline.

Protests continue in Pristina

The political deadlock has coincided with protests over the Specialist Chambers legislation. Demonstrations escalated on the night of October 5, when protesters clashed with police in Pristina. Police used tear gas and water cannons after pyrotechnic devices were thrown at officers and containers were set on fire.

Kosovo Police said six officers were injured, while 11 protesters sought medical assistance. The Emergency Centre earlier reported that 12 people had been treated, including one police officer, with most injuries linked to tear gas exposure or cuts. All were reported to be in stable condition.

The protest continued on October 6, although police said it initially proceeded peacefully.

According to police, demonstrators set up tents near the parliament in Ibrahim Rugova Square at around 3pm before moving to Skanderbeg Square in the evening. Police said some individuals threw pyrotechnic devices and fireworks.

A protester's health deteriorated during the rally, prompting police and citizens to move the person to a secure area where medical personnel provided first aid.

Police said they respected the right to freedom of assembly and expression while taking measures to maintain public order and protect people and public and private property.

They called on protesters to continue demonstrating peacefully and to follow police instructions.

With a new president now elected, Kosovo has avoided another snap election, but political tensions over the Specialist Chambers and the protests in Pristina remain.