Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party declared the winner of the Kosovo elections. Among the stakes of the election, the unlocking of key international funding
The Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, Photo: AA/ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia
Vetevendosje (VV), the party of nationalist Prime Minister Albin Kurti, is heading for victory in Kosovo's election on Sunday, but it is unclear whether it will win enough seats to break the political deadlock that has paralyzed parliament for a year and delayed key international funding, Reuters and AFP write.
It is the second election to be held in Kosovo this year, after the one in February, when VV failed to get a majority. After months of failed negotiations, President Vjosa Osmani dissolved parliament in November and called early elections.
Vetvendosje, or Self-Determination, is in first place after counting 61% of the votes, with a score of 50.2%. It is still unclear whether he will get the 61 seats needed in the 120-seat parliament to rule on his own.
The main opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), have scores of 20% and 14.1%, respectively.
The exit poll results from TV Klan Kosova put VV still in first place, with a score of 44.1%, followed by PDK (23.9%) and LDK (16.1%). Those from the T7 television station credit VV with a score of 43.5%.
“The will of the citizens is now at the ballot box. Preserving that will is essential for the legitimacy and credibility of the electoral process,” Kurti said in a video message after the exit poll results were published.
Delayed international funding
Another failed attempt to form a government would prolong the crisis into a complicated period. Lawmakers must elect a new president in April and ratify 1 billion euro ($1.2 billion) loan deals from the European Union and the World Bank that expire in the coming months.
Opposition parties in the Balkan country have refused to govern with Kurti, criticizing his handling of ties with Western allies and his approach to Kosovo's ethnically divided, Serb-dominated north. The interim prime minister blames the opposition for the impasse.
In a bid to woo voters, Kurti promised an extra monthly salary a year for public sector workers, €1bn a year in capital investment and a new prosecution unit to fight organized crime. Opposition parties have also focused on improving living standards, a top concern for the electorate.
