Kosovo’s Central Election Commission has announced the results of the recent legislative elections, revealing that Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Self-Determination Movement Party (Vetevendosje!) won the most seats but fell short of a governing majority. This situation complicates Kurti’s efforts to form a new cabinet amid ongoing tensions with Serbia and economic challenges.
Key Takeaways
- Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje! party secured 42.30% of the vote, translating to 48 seats in the 120-seat parliament.
- The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) followed with 20.95% and 18.27%, respectively.
- Kurti must seek coalition partners to achieve the necessary majority of 61 votes to form a government.
- The election marked the first time since Kosovo’s independence in 2008 that the parliament completed a full four-year term.
Election Overview
The elections, held on February 9, 2025, were significant as they were the first to complete a full mandate since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. The voter turnout was reported at 46.54%, slightly lower than the previous election.
Kurti’s party, Vetevendosje!, emerged as the largest party but without a clear majority, necessitating coalition negotiations. The PDK, whose leaders are currently facing war crimes charges, and the LDK, the oldest party in Kosovo, are potential partners, although Kurti has previously expressed reluctance to ally with them.
Political Landscape
The results of the election are as follows:
| Party Name | Percentage of Vote | Number of Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje!) | 42.30% | 48 |
| Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) | 20.95% | 24 |
| Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) | 18.27% | 20 |
| Alliance for Kosovo’s Future | 7.06% | 8 |
Additionally, 20 seats in the parliament are reserved for minority groups, including 10 for the Serb minority, which is represented by the Srpska Lista party.
Challenges Ahead
Kurti’s administration faces significant challenges, including:
- Economic Recovery: Kosovo is one of Europe’s poorest countries, with an annual GDP of less than €6,000 per person. The suspension of foreign aid from the U.S. and the EU has exacerbated economic difficulties.
- Normalization of Relations with Serbia: Ongoing tensions with Serbia complicate Kosovo’s aspirations for EU membership. The normalization of relations is a prerequisite for both countries to join the EU.
- Public Expectations: Citizens expect improvements in public services, including education and healthcare, as well as increased salaries and pensions. However, the lack of clear funding sources for these promises raises concerns.
Conclusion
As Albin Kurti embarks on the challenging task of forming a new government, the political landscape in Kosovo remains complex. The need for coalition-building and addressing pressing economic and diplomatic issues will be critical for the stability and future of Kosovo. The coming weeks will be pivotal in determining whether Kurti can successfully navigate these challenges and secure a functioning government.
Sources
- EU observers hail Kosovo’s peaceful election but criticize the polarization of political debate, AP News.
- Kosovo’s governing party wins parliamentary election but without majority, preliminary results show, AP News.
- Kosovo’s election committee details results of legislative election as Kurti toils to form Cabinet, ABC News.
- Kosovo’s prime minister looks for allies for new Cabinet after failing to win parliamentary majority, AP News.
- Kosovo’s election committee details results of legislative election as Kurti toils to form Cabinet, couriernews.com.
