Nationalist victory confirmed in Kosovo, but without an absolute majority

Kosovo's ruling Vetëvendosje party, led by acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, has won the snap parliamentary elections with 43% of the vote. However, the results, based on over 97% of ballots counted, indicate the nationalist party will not secure an absolute majority needed to govern alone.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) followed with 21.2% of the vote, while the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) garnered 17.6%. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) came in fourth with 7.1%. This outcome represents a setback for Kurti compared to the December 2021 elections, where Vetëvendosje achieved 51.1% of the vote.

Kosovo has been navigating a political crisis since early 2025, when Vetëvendosje lost its majority. These elections, the third in just 18 months, were called after parliament failed to elect a new head of state in April. The country, with a population of about two million and an ethnic Albanian majority, unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move still not recognized by Belgrade or several EU members.

Voter turnout stood at 36.1%, a decrease from the 44% recorded in the December elections. The campaign was marked by rivalry between Kurti and former President Vjosa Osmani, who returned to the LDK after parting ways with the prime minister. While Kurti advocates for a firm stance against Serbia, the opposition focused criticism on deteriorating relations with key partners like the European Union and the United States, crucial for Kosovo's integration aspirations.