Thewesternbalkans.
In the parliamentary elections in Kosovo, on Sunday, December 28, the ruling party of the outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti, Vetevendosje, won 49.80 percent of the vote, or 422,561 votes. This preliminary result was announced by the chairman of the Central Election Commission of Kosovo on Sunday.
In second place is the Democratic Party of Kosovo with 21.21 percent, or 179,933 votes. The Democratic League of Kosovo is in third place with 13.76 percent, or 116,777 votes. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo followed with 5.73 percent, or 48,630 votes. Nisma did not pass the census, as only 14,545 votes were cast for it, which is 1.71 percent.
The voter turnout was 45%.
Commentary: Although Kupti’s victory is not complete, he will be able to form a government in Kosovo for the third time, with the help of smaller minority parties that have guaranteed seats in parliament. The Serb list in northern Kosovo is also back in full force. It won all 10 guaranteed Serb seats.
“The results of Kosovo’s elections should finally end the political stalemate that has cost the country millions of euros in EU funding,” the European Parliament’s rapporteur on Kosovo, Riho Teras said on the social network “X”.
Kurti focused his campaign on the economy and promised to raise the minimum wage from 350 to 450 euros per month, as well as family benefits – 100 euros and 90 euros for each child – if he wins again. The opposition campaigned poorly and lacked new ideas.
The decisive factor in the victory was the votes of the diaspora, which continues to support Kurti – over 80,000 people were registered to vote.
Given Kurti’s poor governance, the high results of the Vetevendosje are surprising. The US and the EU won’t be thrilled, but at least there will be a government and they know who they’re dealing with.
