Kosovo Elections: Albin Kurti claims victory but faces coalition challenges

Kosovo's Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, has declared victory in the country’s parliamentary elections, though the results indicate he will need to form a coalition government.

Preliminary results, released on Sunday night, show that Kurti’s leftist party, Vetevendosje, secured 41.99% of the votes, making it the leading political force. This election was widely perceived as a referendum on Kurti’s leadership, particularly regarding his contentious relations with Western allies over Kosovo's ties with Serbia. With 73% of the votes counted, the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo trailed behind with 22.68%, followed by the Democratic League of Kosovo with 17.9%.

Kurti, who previously ruled out forming a coalition, hinted at a change in stance, stating, "We are the first and winning party that will create the next government. We will continue to complete the work we started."

A Divisive Political Landscape

The election was Kosovo’s ninth since the 1998-1999 war that led to its separation from Serbia. While economic challenges and corruption were key campaign issues, relations with Serbia remained central to the political debate.

Kurti’s party has consistently sought to dismantle Serbian institutions in Kosovo, a position that has fueled tensions. The new parliament, composed of 120 legislators, will play a crucial role in determining the future of stalled negotiations with Belgrade. Among the competing parties are the Democratic Party of Kosovo, whose leaders have faced war crimes charges, and the Democratic League of Kosovo, the oldest party in the country. The Alliance for Kosovo’s Future, led by former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, secured 7.5% of the vote.

The opposition has promised economic reforms, including salary and pension increases, improved public services, and poverty reduction. Kosovo, home to 1.6 million people, remains one of Europe’s poorest nations, with an annual GDP per capita of under €6,000 ($6,200).

A Crucial Moment for Kosovo

Kurti’s government, the first in Kosovo’s history to complete a full term, has faced significant challenges, including recurrent unrest between Serbs and ethnic Albanians. Tensions escalated in 2023 following the collapse of EU- and US-mediated talks between Kosovo and Serbia. Subsequent incidents, including violent clashes with NATO peacekeepers and an armed standoff in the north, heightened regional instability.

Kurti’s policies, including a controversial ban on the Serbian dinar and restrictions on financial transfers from Belgrade, have drawn criticism from Western allies. The US, the EU, and NATO’s KFOR force have urged the Kosovo government to avoid unilateral moves, fearing renewed ethnic conflict.

Despite his popularity among supporters for his anti-corruption stance and nationalistic rhetoric, Kurti’s confrontational approach toward Serbia has been blamed for straining Kosovo’s international relations and potentially jeopardizing foreign aid.

Security measures were heightened for the elections, with KFOR increasing its presence and deploying additional forces. The vote was monitored by 100 EU observers, 18 representatives from the Council of Europe, and approximately 1,600 other international and local observers.