More than 100 people detained in Kosovo amid accusations that marked the December elections. The political crisis is prolonged

Kosovo authorities have detained 109 people in a case of alleged electoral fraud that led to a recount after snap parliamentary elections held last month, according to The Washington Post.

Prosecutors in Prizrez, a city located in southern Kosovo, said the people involved face charges of falsifying election results, pressure, threats and bribery.

Local chief prosecutor Petrit Kryeziu said the alleged fraud involved 68,017 ballots in Prizrez alone.

In the elections in Kosovo, a turnout of 44% was recorded, out of a total number of eligible voters of 1.9 million. It is unclear at this time if other people are to be detained.

A recount of the votes was ordered

Electoral authorities this week ordered a full recount of the votes cast in the December 28 election, citing widespread irregularities. On the other hand, they claim that they do not expect a change in the result, since the manipulation of votes targeted individual candidates from certain parties.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party, Vetevendosje, or Self-Determination, won the election with a score of around 51%. The same party failed to form a government even though it came first in the February 2025 election, leading to months of political crisis and the triggering of the December election exercise.

There are fears that the recount will delay the formation of the new parliament and government, thereby prolonging the political crisis. Kosovo still does not have a budget for 2026, and if lawmakers miss the March deadline to elect a new president, a new vote will have to be held.