Kurti's Vetevendosje wins Kosovo election but loses majority, prolonging political deadlock
Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party won Kosovo's third parliamentary election in 16 months but lost its absolute majority, setting the stage for difficult coalition talks amid voter fatigue and a prolonged institutional crisis.
Election results
Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje party won nearly 43% of the vote in Sunday's snap parliamentary election, according to near-complete results from the central election commission. The figure marks a sharp decline from the 51% the party secured in the previous election in December. The opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won 21%, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) took 17-18%, and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) received about 7%. Turnout fell to roughly 36-37%, down from 45% in December, with only about one in three eligible voters casting a ballot.
- Vetevendosje (Dec 2025)
- 51 %
- Vetevendosje (Jun 2026)
- 43 %
- PDK (Dec 2025)
- 21 %
- PDK (Jun 2026)
- 21 %
- LDK (Dec 2025)
- 13 %
- LDK (Jun 2026)
- 18 %
- AAK (Dec 2025)
- 5.6 %
- AAK (Jun 2026)
- 7 %
Coalition prospects
Vetevendosje's result leaves it short of the seats needed to govern alone, making coalition negotiations unavoidable. The three main opposition parties — PDK, LDK, and AAK — are all conservative and have been at odds with Kurti, but could theoretically form an alternative majority if they set aside their differences. Kurti addressed supporters at midnight in Pristina's central square, calling the outcome his party's fourth consecutive victory since 2021.
This is the confirmation that at least this decade, and I believe longer, will be the decade of Vetevendosje's government.
Institutional paralysis
The election is the third in just over a year, following an inconclusive vote in February 2025 and a snap election in December. The political gridlock has left Kosovo without a president or a speaker of parliament for more than two months. The 120-seat assembly was dissolved in April after parties failed to agree on a candidate to replace former President Vjosa Osmani, who is now running on the LDK list. A president requires at least 80 votes, forcing any government to secure opposition support.
- Inconclusive parliamentary election; Vetevendosje wins 42% but no majority
- Snap election; Vetevendosje wins 51% and forms government with minority MPs
- Parliament dissolved after failing to elect a new president
- Third snap election; Vetevendosje wins 43% but loses absolute majority
Voter frustration
Low turnout reflected widespread fatigue with the repeated elections and political stalemate. The deadlock has delayed EU-mandated reforms and the disbursement of EU funds, further straining one of Europe's youngest and poorest countries.
Enough is enough. I expect parties to finally come to their senses and work for Kosovo, instead of wasting time fighting for power through one snap election after another.
Minority representation
Kosovo's constitution guarantees 10 seats for the Serb minority and another 10 for other non-Serb ethnic minorities. The Belgrade-linked Srpska Lista was polling at about 5%, and preliminary results from North Mitrovica showed it with 75% of the vote against a Kurti-friendly Serb party that fell short of the 5% threshold. The diaspora vote, which tends to support Kurti's nationalist and left-leaning platform, was not included in the preliminary results.
