Solo Victory
Kosovo’s political dynamics show a major change as the 2025 election approaches. Vetevendosje’s support has dropped from over 50% in 2021 to 41.3% in polls recently. The ruling party still leads the opposition, but Prime Minister Albin Kurti remains adamant about not forming coalitions without a majority. Opposition forces lag behind, with the Democratic Party of Kosovo securing 21.8% and Democratic League of Kosovo at 17.8% of votes. These numbers paint a complex political picture in Europe’s youngest nation. The stakes are high as Kosovo deals with the European Union’s pressure. The EU has imposed economic sanctions that cut around 150 million euros in funding because of regional tensions. Kosovo’s relationship with Serbia remains challenging, especially regarding the 50,000 ethnic Serbs living within Kosovo’s borders.
Kurti Announces Solo Victory Strategy in Kosovo Election
Prime Minister Albin Kurti celebrated his Vetevendosje party’s victory late Sunday night after a heated parliamentary election. His supporters filled the streets of Pristina with fireworks and drum beats to celebrate their party’s achievement of 41.3% of votes after counting 88% of ballots.
Vetevendosje secures 41.3% votes
The Central Election Commission’s early results showed Vetevendosje with a clear lead over its rivals. The Democratic Party of Kosovo received 22.7% of votes, and the Democratic League of Kosovo followed with 17.9% support. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo ended up with 7.56% of total votes.
PM rejects power-sharing talks
Kurti made his position clear about possible coalition deals. “We are the first party, the winning party that will create the next government,” he told reporters. His stance against joining any government without an outright majority remained consistent throughout the campaign.
Political analyst Shpend Kursani explains Kurti’s appeal comes from his “anti-corruption, national dignity and being – at least from a Balkan view – an honest politician”. This election shows a fundamental change from Vetevendosje’s earlier performance, where they formed government without needing coalition partners.
Opposition parties worry about Kurti’s confrontational approach toward Serbia and believe it has weakened international support. All the same, Kurti stands firm and dismisses any chance of opposition parties creating an alternative coalition. “It is clear to anyone that they are in second and third place and even if they get together, they cannot match Vetevendosje,” he emphasized.
Opposition Parties Scramble to Form United Front
Opposition forces have gained substantial support in Kosovo’s parliamentary race, revolutionizing the political world. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), which former Kosovo Liberation Army fighters founded, now stands as the main challenger to Vetevendosje’s dominance.
Democratic Party gains 21.8% support
Memli Krasniqi’s PDK captured 21.8% of the total votes. The party continues to play a crucial role in Kosovo’s political arena, though it hasn’t matched its past achievements. The PDK won 35% of votes in 2007. The party’s current position shows how far it has come since its 2010 victory when it secured 32% support.
Democratic League emerges with 17.8%
Kosovo’s oldest political party, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), won 17.8% of the votes. The party ran its campaign with a focus on international relations, NATO membership and stronger ties with the United States and European Union. “Although we had a considerable increase compared to the 2021 elections, this result is not satisfactory,” party leader Lumir Abdixhiku said.
Coalition possibilities emerge
Several potential alliance configurations have appeared in the opposition landscape. Three major parties have crossed the parliamentary threshold:
- The PDK with 21.8% support
- The LDK securing 17.8%
- The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) gaining 7.64%
AAK leader and former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj showed willingness to “co-operate on the creation of an opposition government”. The three main opposition parties ruled out cooperation with Kurti in their pre-election platforms. These parties have built their position through promises of higher public salaries, better pension benefits, and improved healthcare services.
EU Warns Against Political Deadlock
EU sanctions loom over Kosovo’s political landscape as the 2025 election approaches. These punitive measures from 2023 have led to major financial setbacks for the nation.
Previous sanctions impact
EU sanctions have taken a heavy economic toll on Kosovo. The country might lose approximately €500 million in EU funds by the end of 2023. More than a dozen projects worth at least €150 million have come to a halt after the EU restrictions. The Alliance of Kosovar Businesses points out that these measures mark one of the most troubling periods since Kosovo declared independence in 2008.
These sanctions have hit multiple sectors:
- Suspension of the Stabilization and Association Agreement
- Postponement of visa liberalization process
- Exclusion from the €1.2 billion Framework for Investments in the Western Balkans
- Cancelation of bilateral meetings with the EU
Brussels demands dialog
We focused on asking for concrete steps toward normalizing relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The EU labels these measures as “temporary and reversible” but they will stay until Kosovo takes steps to calm tensions in the north.
Kosovo and Serbia’s relationship stands at the center of EU’s work in the Western Balkans. So Brussels has asked both sides to work together in good faith and implement the EU Proposal right away.
Some EU members support lifting these measures. They argue that the sanctions haven’t changed Prime Minister Kurti’s policies and have only hurt regular citizens. But opposition from Serbia-friendly nations like France and Hungary makes this difficult. The EU’s special representative keeps working on mediation, and both parties have agreed to meet in Brussels to plan concrete steps for implementing the Agreement.
International Community Watches Kosovo’s Democratic Test
The European Union started an election observation mission to Kosovo that shows international backing for democratic governance. Chief Observer Nathalie Loiseau announced they would deploy 18 long-term observers in municipalities of all sizes. The mission will also include 36 short-term observers and a delegation of European Parliament members.
US position on governance
Washington and Pristina’s relationship faces intense scrutiny. The United States stands as Kosovo’s main international supporter and provides vital financial and diplomatic support. Opposition candidates believe Kosovo-US relations need an overhaul. Democratic Party candidate Bedri Hamza stresses the need for a stronger presence in Washington.
NATO peacekeepers remain vigilant
NATO’s Kosovo Force (KFOR) plays a vital peacekeeping role with approximately 3,800 military personnel from 28 nations. The alliance has made its presence stronger by:
- Tripling the number of patrols along administrative boundary lines
- Deploying 1,000 additional peacekeepers after recent security incidents
- Setting up improved monitoring in northern Kosovo
KFOR operates under Chapter VII of the UN Charter as a peace enforcement operation. The mission works closely with the United Nations and European Union to help Kosovo develop as a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic state. Admiral Stuart B. Munsch, commander of the Allied Joint Force Command Naples, highlights ongoing concerns about potential ethnic tensions in the region.
Conclusion
Kosovo stands at a turning point as the 2025 election approaches. Prime Minister Kurti’s Vetevendosje party leads with 41.3% support, but faces mounting pressure from opposition forces. The Democratic Party of Kosovo and Democratic League have gathered almost 40% of voter support, which could lead to major political changes.
Kurti’s refusal to form coalitions puts political stability at risk. EU sanctions continue to hurt Kosovo’s economy, and frozen funding of €150 million shows how much international pressure exists for regional talks. NATO keeps the peace with 3,800 peacekeepers stationed throughout the region.
The upcoming election will test Kosovo’s democratic system. International observers watch closely while diplomatic pressure builds, showing how much attention this young nation’s political progress receives worldwide. The country’s future largely depends on how its new leadership handles both local issues and international commitments after the election.
FAQs
Q1. What is the current political situation in Kosovo leading up to the 2025 election? The ruling party Vetevendosje, led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti, is leading with 41.3% support. However, Kurti has rejected coalition talks, while opposition parties like the Democratic Party of Kosovo and Democratic League of Kosovo are gaining significant support, creating a complex political landscape.
Q2. How have EU sanctions affected Kosovo? EU sanctions have had a substantial economic impact on Kosovo, potentially resulting in the loss of approximately €500 million in EU funds. Several projects worth at least €150 million have been stalled, affecting various sectors and causing concern among local businesses.
Q3. What role does NATO play in Kosovo’s current situation? NATO maintains a peacekeeping force (KFOR) in Kosovo with about 3,800 military personnel from 28 nations. They have increased their presence by tripling patrols along administrative boundary lines and deploying additional peacekeepers to monitor and maintain stability in the region.
Q4. How is the international community involved in Kosovo’s election process? The European Union has launched an extensive election observation mission to Kosovo, deploying long-term and short-term observers across all municipalities. The United States, as Kosovo’s primary international supporter, is closely watching the election and its impact on bilateral relations.
Q5. What are the main challenges facing Kosovo’s next government? The next government will need to address domestic issues, manage relations with Serbia, particularly concerning the ethnic Serb population, and work towards normalizing relations with the EU to potentially lift sanctions. Additionally, they must balance international obligations while maintaining political stability and economic growth.
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