Kosovo lawmakers dismiss government in no-confidence vote amid coronavirus scare
A lawmaker wearing protective mask and gloves arrives for an extraordinary session at the Kosovo Parliament in Pristina on March 25, 2020 (AFP Photo)


Kosovo lawmakers dismissed the government of Prime Minister Albin Kurti in a no-confidence vote triggering a political crisis as the Balkan country is trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

With 82 votes against it in the 120-seat parliament the cabinet did not survive the vote, initiated by coalition partner the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), less than two months since it came to power.

It remains unclear how the government will continue its work as the country cannot hold snap elections due to the spread of coronavirus.

The novel coronavirus first emerged in Wuhan, China, last December and has since spread to at least 169 countries and regions, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

More than 400,000 confirmed cases have been recorded worldwide with the death toll surpassing 20,000, while over 100,000 people have recovered. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a pandemic.

Despite the rising number of cases, most who become infected suffer only mild symptoms and recover.