Vetevendosje Expected to Lead Kosovo's Parliamentary Election

According to preliminary results, Kosovo's ruling party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, is poised to secure the most seats in the recent parliamentary elections. However, it is unlikely to achieve an outright majority, based on the latest data from the election commission.

The Vetevendosje (Self-Determination Movement) party is projected to receive approximately 41% of the votes, with 90% of ballots counted. This marks a decline from over 50% in the previous election held in 2021, suggesting that the party will need to seek coalition partners to maintain governance in a politically complex environment, shaped significantly by relations with Serbia and the Serb minority within its borders.

Kurti announced the party's success late on Sunday, asserting that Vetevendosje would form the next government and continue its agenda. He did not specify potential coalition partners at this time.

The election process was reported to have been conducted without significant issues affecting its integrity, as stated by the Central Election Commission, which noted a voter turnout exceeding 40%. Preliminary results indicate that the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) came in second with approximately 22.68% of the vote, followed by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 17.9%. The LDK has already acknowledged Vetevendosje's victory.

Despite these outcomes, the election commission faced challenges with its electronic vote counting system, which delayed the publication of results on schedule. The commission chair expressed apologies for any inconvenience caused to the electorate.

Vetevendosje's platform emphasizes strengthening Kosovo's institutions and enacting economic reforms, including raising the minimum wage and providing subsidies for families. However, the party's actions to dismantle Serbian institutions within Kosovo, such as closing Serbian post offices, have sparked tensions, particularly in the northern regions, where ethnic Serbs reside. These moves have drawn criticism from both the United States and the European Union, who fear that such unilateral actions could destabilize the Balkans.

The opposition parties, particularly the PDK, focused their campaigns on economic development and repairing relations with Western allies. The center-right LDK has also called for stronger ties with the United States and the European Union while advocating for dialogue with Serbia. The Serb List party, which has close ties to the Serbian government, aims to safeguard the rights of ethnic Serbians in Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move supported by the United States, although Serbia does not recognize Kosovo as a separate state. As the political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how the new government will navigate these complex dynamics.