Kosovo PM wins snap vote, but with no majority
Sunday's vote, the country's third in just over a year, was marked by low turnout. The country's prolonged political crisis has further debilitated an already
Sunday's vote, the country's third in just over a year, was marked by low turnout. The country's prolonged political crisis has further debilitated an already ailing economy. Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje party on Sunday won the most votes in a snap election, yet failed to secure enough votes to govern alone. Results from almost all polling stations showed Kurti's Vetevendosje party won nearly 43% of the vote. This is lower than its result in the previous election in December, when it won 51%. The opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) secured 21% and 17% of the vote, respectively. The election is the third in 16 months, with the unstable political situation negatively affecting Kosovo's economy and EU aspirations.
Why is Kosovo holding snap elections? The election was called after the main political parties were unable to elect a new head of state to replace former President Vjosa Osmani within the required timeframe. Although Kurti's center-left Vetevendosje party holds a clear parliamentary majority, a president must receive at least 80 votes in the 120-member assembly. In recent parliamentary votes, there were not enough lawmakers in the chamber to allow a valid election owing to an opposition boycott. At least one major opposition force is required to support any candidate, as Vetevendosje and its partners do not constitute a sufficient quorum. The EU's Antonio Costa (left) met with Prime Minister Albin Kurti in June to discuss Kosovo's bid to join the EU Image: Press office of the Kosovo Prime Minister Who is taking part in Sunday's election in Kosovo?
Kurti achieved his parliamentary majority with ethnic minority MPs in a December election that followed an inconclusive vote in February 2025. He is now being challenged by the two main opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). President Osmani is running on the LDK list in the election, as she now no longer supports Kurti after he refused to back her for a second term in office. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after a 1998-1999 war where Serbia withdrew after a NATO bombing. Kosovo has been recognized by the US and most EU countries, but not by Serbia and its allies, Russia and China.
Pristina and Belgrade have been told they must lay aside their differences if they wish to progress with their EU membership bids. Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko Don't let the algorithm hide the news. If you rely on our team for trusted reporting, please take a moment to select us as your Preferred Source on Google by clicking here and hitting the "star" or "preferred" button, so you'll always see our verified news first.
The BriefWire