Kurti's decisive win reshapes Kosovo's political landscape
The Self-Determination Party, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, secured the largest share of votes in Kosovo's parliamentary elections held on Sunday, with approximately 40% according to exit polls. The media reported these results after the polls closed.
According to a Klan Kosova television poll, Self-Determination garnered 38.2% of the votes, while the "Koha Ditore" newspaper poll reported 42.3% for the Prime Minister's party.
In both surveys, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) was ranked second, and the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) occupied the third position. Both parties received just over 20% of the votes, with the first poll indicating 22.4% and 20.1%, and the second showing 21.3% and 20.4%, respectively.
Polling stations for the 120-member Kosovo Assembly (Kuvendi) closed at 7 PM. The first partial results from the State Election Commission are expected after 9 PM Greenwich Time.
Elections in Kosovo. What the prime minister's party win will mean
Suppose he wins the parliamentary elections in Kosovo and extends his mandate. In that case, Prime Minister Albin Kurti is likely to align with the stance of the new US administration and soften his approach towards Belgrade and the Serbian minority in Kosovo, remarked Jakub Bielamowicz from the Institute of New Europe before Sunday's vote.
- From the start of his career, Kurti has underscored the importance of completing Kosovo's statehood, and he has maintained this position upon assuming power. It is natural that when governing such a country, efforts should be made to strengthen authority within its territory. A valid criticism of him, however, is that he has opted for methods that are not particularly delicate and has not coordinated his actions with foreign partners such as the EU and the USA, whose support enables Kosovo to sustain itself as a state - Bielamowicz observed.
The analyst highlighted that under Self-Determination's leadership, unemployment in Kosovo decreased from about 30% to approximately 10%, the minimum wage increased, and the country achieved the fastest growth rate among Western Balkan nations. "However, in foreign policy, there has been a marked cooling in relations with the United States and the European Union," noted the PAP correspondent.
