Kosovo ruling party wins after months of political deadlock

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Albanian nationalist Vetevendosje party clinched a landslide parliamentary win with 50.8%, as 90% votes were tallied, securing leader Albin Kurti’s third term following February elections lacking a majority that left Kosovo without a functioning government for an extended period of deadlock. Centre-right Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) trailed at 20.98% while Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) scored 13.89% in the second poll of the year, resolving the National Assembly impasse where the opposition rejected a coalition with Kurti’s left-wing group.

Voters clearly sided against punishing Kurti despite prolonged paralysis, marking Vetevendosje’s fourth consecutive triumph, vindicating blocks on his post-February 9 government formation bids.

Coalition and victory claims

Result falls short of absolute majority in 120-seat Assembly, but Kurti gains easy backing from 20 guaranteed ethnic minority MPs. Kurti hailed “the greatest victory in country history,” demanding opposition cooperation over past frustration; LDK’s Arben Gashi posted voters’ voice demands “reflection and responsible action.”

Critical challenges ahead

Deadlock forfeited hundreds of millions of euros of EU funds alongside World Bank pacts totaling over €1bn; the new government prioritizes mending EU-US ties damaged by Kurti’s targeting Serb minority services like post offices, healthcare, sparking north Kosovo tensions. EU removed 2023 penalties but expects pragmatic Serbia normalisation dialogue versus dogmatic stance amid icy Aleksandar Vucic relations.

Analyst Artan Muhaxhiri cited Vetevendosje’s constitutional breaches, economic stagnation, and ally breakdowns, yet voters viewed KLA-linked opposition, failing post-2008 independence prosperity pledges, as more detrimental.

Source: BBC


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