Kosovo Holds Parliamentary Elections Amid Political Tensions
On 9 February 2025, Kosovo conducted parliamentary elections to appoint all 120 members of its Assembly. The ruling party, Vetëvendosje (LVV), led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, secured approximately 40.87% of the vote, falling short of an outright majority. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), under Bedri Hamza, garnered around 22.03%, while the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), led by Lumir Abdixhiku, received about 17.61%. The turnout was reported at 42.29%.
The European Union deployed a team of 100 observers, headed by French MEP Nathalie Loiseau, to monitor the electoral process. In a statement released on 11 February, the EU observers commended the peaceful and competitive nature of the elections but expressed concerns over the polarized political discourse. They highlighted instances of harsh rhetoric reflecting deep political divisions and noted that the Serb List exerted pressure on voters who are largely dependent on Serbian social assistance or employment in Serbia-managed institutions in the Kosovo-Serb municipalities.
Additionally, the observers criticized Vetëvendosje for attempting to prevent the Serb List from participating in the election and for engaging in harsh rhetoric against them. The involvement of U.S. special envoy Richard Grenell, who labeled Albin Kurti as an unreliable partner of the United States during the campaign, was also a point of concern.
The election results indicate that no single party achieved a majority, necessitating coalition negotiations to form a stable government. The political landscape remains complex, with significant challenges ahead in fostering unity and addressing the concerns raised by international observers.
Image: Arianit/Wikimedia Commons
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