Kosovo Elections: Vetevendosje Party Loses Majority, Coalition Needed

Kosovo’s ruling Vetevendosje party, led by Albin Kurti, is projected to win the parliamentary election but will lack a majority, requiring coalition negotiations. Preliminary results indicate a significant drop in support compared to previous elections. The election experience has also been marred by technical difficulties and fines against parties.

In Kosovo’s recent parliamentary election, the ruling Vetevendosje party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, appeared poised to secure victory but fell short of a majority, necessitating coalition negotiations. With 73% of votes counted, Vetevendosje garnered approximately 41.99%, a decline from over 50% in 2021, thereby placing Kurti in a position to negotiate government formation amidst political challenges related to Serbia.

Despite previously declaring he would only form a government if achieving an outright majority, Kurti proclaimed his party’s leadership in government formation after the vote count. He asserted, “We are the first party, the winning party that will create the next government.”

The election commission faced technical difficulties, which delayed the full disclosure of results, with manual data collection initiated. Despite this, the opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) conceded victory to Vetevendosje, estimating their support at 39.08%. The Democratic Party of Kosovo and LDK followed with 21.84% and 18.14%, respectively.

Kurti’s party enjoyed popularity due to a government initiative to increase control over the ethnic Serb-majority north, although critics have noted shortcomings in education and healthcare policy. Furthermore, the European Union imposed economic restrictions on Kosovo in response to rising tensions with ethnic Serbs. In contrast, LDK campaigned to restore ties with the U.S. and the EU.

Notably, Kurti’s administration has seen some economic successes, including a reduction in unemployment from 30% to around 10%. However, the election atmosphere was fraught with tension, resulting in significant fines against political parties for infractions during the campaign.

The recent elections in Kosovo reflect a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape as it grapples with the implications of its relationship with Serbia and the internal dynamics between ethnic communities. Vetevendosje, a leftist nationalist party, rose to prominence after winning a substantial majority in 2021. Since then, political analysts have examined the implications of Kurti’s governance, especially concerning economic performance and international relations.

In summary, while Vetevendosje remains the leading party in Kosovo’s elections, it must now form a coalition to govern effectively. The election results signify a shift in the political landscape, highlighting Kurti’s waning popularity, and the necessity for compromise in the fractured political environment of Kosovo. The outcomes of these elections will be critical to shaping Kosovo’s present and future relations with Serbia and the West.

Original Source: www.theguardian.com