Kosovo prime minister wins snap election to end political deadlock

"Kosovo's prime minister, Albin Kurti has won an emphatic election victory, marking a resurgence for the nationalist leader and ending a political deadlock in Europe's youngest state. The win in Sunday's snap election strengthens Kurti's mandate to push through domestic reforms, including welfare expansion and higher salaries for public workers, although he faces significant problems including tensions with Serbia and health and education systems that lag behind Kosovo's Balkan neighbours."

"With nearly all votes counted, Kurti's Self-determination party led with more than 49% of Sunday's vote, official results show, meaning he requires only some small coalition partners to form a majority. It is a sign of a turnaround for Kurti, whose failure to win enough votes in the last poll in February or form a coalition with larger opposition parties meant that parliament did not function for most of 2025,"

"Ilir Deda, a political commentator, said: It's a political earthquake that has shattered the opposition parties, and we are going to feel the consequences of this result for the next decade. Kosovo has decided to replace this political pluralism with a model of very strong government and weak opposition, like other countries in the western Balkans. Sunday's poll took place over the holiday period when Kosovo's diaspora are typically at home in force, which may have aided Kurti,"

Albin Kurti won an emphatic snap election with his Self-determination party taking more than 49% of the vote, meaning only small coalition partners are needed for a parliamentary majority. The result ends a political deadlock that left parliament largely nonfunctional for most of 2025 and delayed about $1bn in international funding. The strengthened mandate enables Kurti to pursue domestic reforms such as welfare expansion and higher public-sector salaries. Significant challenges remain, including tensions with Serbia, weak health and education systems, and the need to manage relations with international allies while pursuing EU accession.

Read at www.theguardian.com