Kosovo promises to introduce same-sex unions in May

The government of Kosovo plans to introduce same-sex unions in May, Prime Minister Albin Kurti announced on Thursday (25 April), with the measure being part of his country’s efforts to join the Council of Europe.

Currently, Montenegro is the only Western Balkans country to allow for same-sex civil unions, as a previous attempt to introduce them in Kosovo was voted down in parliament in 2022.

“Kosovo will aim to become soon the second country in the Western Balkans (…) offering its citizens the right to same-sex civil unions. We will work hard to pass this in the very near future,” Kurti told attendants at an event of the ruling German SPD party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin.

The introduction of same-sex unions would be a momentous step, as it would also make Kosovo the first Muslim-majority country to legalise them. According to the last census in 2011, 95.6% of the population identified as Muslim, with the current census underway.

Unlike in 2022, Kurti has the support of most of his party‘s MPs for a vote slated for May, he told Euractiv.

He is certain it will pass, even though he must also convince 11 opposition lawmakers.

But while political attitudes have changed, the proposal remains relatively unpopular as only 20% of Kosovars support same-sex unions, according to a 2023 survey, up 8% from 2015.

The announcement was one of two concessions sketched by Kurti on Thursday, with which he hopes to tip the balance in favour of his country’s accession to the Council of Europe.

He also vowed to “resolve outstanding issues regarding (…) the Kosovo-Serb minority” following tensions in the north of the country.

“We are working with members of the German Bundestag to outline new measures,” he said.

Accession to the Strasbourg-based human rights body has passed the initial two hurdles and must now be voted on by the committee of ministers, comprised of member states’ foreign ministers.

At this stage, a two-thirds majority is needed. A CoE insider told Euractiv that the vote will likely be scheduled for May if Kosovo is sure it will get the majority needed. If there is doubt that it will not pass, they will likely try to schedule it later in the year.

Euractiv understands that Kurti‘s Germany trip – including his announcements – was meant to seal the support of the pivotal German government as he negotiated with SPD leaders and chancellery officials.

“The Government of Kosovo must [underline] that we cherish and respect common values and human rights,” Kurti told attendants.

The pan-European Council of Europe includes a parliamentary assembly and the European Court of Human Rights, which enforces the European Convention on Human Rights.

Accession would mark an important recognition for Kosovo, as several countries still do not recognise the former Serbian province’s statehood.

Earlier this month, Kosovo’s membership bid was overwhelmingly approved by the assembly, much to Serbia’s anger, who threatened to leave the organisation if Kosovo became a member.

Under several agreements with Kosovo, backed by the EU, in a bid to normalise relations, Belgrade is meant to refrain from blocking Pristina’s membership to any international organisations.

The EU has now given Serbia an ultimatum: stop blocking Kosovo’s entry or face suspension of its own EU membership path.

On  22 April, foreign affairs ministers agreed at a meeting in Luxembourg to amend the a document relating to Serbia’s negotiations to join the European Union. Under the new wording, Serbia will find its accession path frozen if it does not implement agreements to normalise relations.

In particular, it must not obstruct Kosovo’s bids to join organisations such as the EU, CoE, NATO, and UN.

Kosovo applied to join the EU in December 2022 and has expressed interest in joining the UN and NATO.

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