Kosovo's Vetevendosje Party Wins Most Votes but Fails to Secure Majority in Snap Election

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje party won nearly 43% of the vote in Sunday’s snap election, according to results from almost all polling stations, but failed to secure enough votes to govern alone. This share is lower than the 51% it achieved in December’s election. The opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) secured 21% and 17% of the vote, respectively.

The election is Kosovo’s third in 16 months, reflecting the country’s unstable political situation, which has negatively impacted its economy and EU aspirations.

**Why the snap election?** The election was called after main parties failed to elect a new head of state to replace former President Vjosa Osmani within the required timeframe. A president needs at least 80 votes in the 120-member assembly, but recent parliamentary votes lacked a quorum due to an opposition boycott. At least one major opposition force is needed to support any candidate, as Vetevendosje and its partners do not constitute a sufficient quorum.

**Who participated?** Kurti’s majority relies on ethnic minority MPs from the December election. He is challenged by the PDK and LDK. Former President Osmani, now on the LDK list, opposes Kurti after he refused to back her second term.

**Background** Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after the 1998-1999 war, following which Serbia withdrew after a NATO bombing. Kosovo is recognized by the US and most EU countries but not by Serbia, Russia, or China. For EU membership progress, both Kosovo and Serbia must resolve their differences.

Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko