At a Glance
- Albin Kurti’s Self-Determination party wins nearly 50% of votes in early parliamentary election.
- Opposition parties lag far behind: Democratic Party 21%, Democratic League 14%.
- Turnout at 44%; 20 seats automatically reserved for ethnic Serb minorities.
- Why it matters: The result could secure Kurti’s second term and reshape Kosovo’s fragile political landscape.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (News Of Austin) – The Self-Determination party, led by Albin Kurti, clinched a decisive victory in the early parliamentary election held on Sunday, according to preliminary results.
Election Results and Implications
The party secured almost half of the ballots, nearly 50%, leaving the Democratic Party of Kosovo with 21% and the Democratic League of Kosovo close to 14%. The snap vote was called after the Self-Determination party failed to form a government following the February 9 election, which left the country in a month-long deadlock.
- Self-Determination – 49.5% of votes
- Democratic Party of Kosovo – 21% of votes
- Democratic League of Kosovo – 13.9% of votes
| Party | % of Votes |
|---|---|
| Self-Determination | 49.5% |
| Democratic Party of Kosovo | 21% |
| Democratic League of Kosovo | 13.9% |
The outcome means the Self-Determination party may hold 61 of the 120 seats needed for a single-party majority, though that has not been confirmed.
Political Context and Challenges
Kosovo has not approved a budget for the coming year, raising concerns about its already weak economy. Lawmakers will also elect a new president in March as Vjosa Osmani‘s term ends in early April. Opposition critics accuse Kurti of authoritarianism and of alienating the United States and European Union.
- First government stalemate since independence in 2008
- 20 parliamentary seats reserved for ethnic Serb and other minority parties
- EU and U.S. have imposed punitive measures over negotiations with Belgrade
- Kurti pledged to purchase military equipment to boost security
Key Statements and Reactions
Albin Kurti celebrated the win and urged a swift formation of a new parliament and government.
> “Congratulations on the biggest victory in the history of the country. Now we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
Albin Kurti added:
> “We don’t have time to lose and must move forward together as quickly as possible.”
Lumir Abdixhiku, a member of the Democratic League of Kosovo, called for unity.
> “Move away from the gloom, the deadlock and the division that has accompanied us for these years.”
Ilmi Deliu, a 71-year-old pensioner, expressed cautious hope.
> “We will end up in an abyss.”
Key Takeaways
- The Self-Determination party’s win could secure Albin Kurti‘s second term.
- Turnout was only 44%, raising questions about democratic legitimacy.
- The country faces budgetary and security challenges amid strained relations with Serbia.
The election marks a turning point for Kosovo, potentially setting the stage for a new political era after a decade of instability.
