Kosovo goes to the polls in snap election in bid to end political crisis

"Voters in Kosovo are casting ballots in an early parliamentary election in the hope of breaking a political deadlock that has gripped the small Balkan nation for much of this year. The snap vote was scheduled after the prime minister Albin Kurti's governing Vetevendosje, or Self-Determination, party failed to form a government despite winning the most votes in a 9 February election."

"According to Kosovo's election laws, 20 parliamentary seats are assigned automatically to ethnic Serb representatives and other minority parties. Another inconclusive vote would further deepen the crisis. Kosovo has not approved a budget for next year, sparking fears of possible negative effects on the already poor economy in the country of 2 million people. Lawmakers also are set to elect a new president in March as President Vjosa Osmani's mandate expires in early April."

"The main opposition parties are the Democratic League of Kosovo and the Democratic party of Kosovo. They have accused Kurti of authoritarianism and of alienating Kosovo's US and European Union allies since he came to power in 2021. A former political prisoner during Serbia's rule in Kosovo, the 50-year-old Kurti has taken a tough stand in talks mediated by the European Union on normalising relations with Belgrade. In response, the EU and US imposed punitive measures. Kurti has promised to buy military equipment to boost security."

Kosovo is holding early parliamentary elections after Prime Minister Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje failed to form a government despite winning the most votes on 9 February. That deadlock was the first such failure since independence in 2008. Vetevendosje remains the favorite but may not secure a majority in the 120-seat parliament after mainstream parties refused alliances. Twenty seats are reserved for ethnic Serb and other minority representatives. The legislature has not approved a budget for next year, raising economic concerns. Lawmakers must elect a president in March or face another snap election. Opposition parties accuse Kurti of authoritarianism and of alienating US and EU allies.

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