Kurti's Vetevendosje wins Kosovo election but falls short of majority, risking continued political deadlock

Election outcome

Albin Kurti's ruling Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) movement won Kosovo's third general election in 16 to 18 months, but lost the absolute majority it secured last December. Early official results with 14.5% of votes counted showed the party at 38.7%, while an exit poll by the Pipos institute for Klan Kosova put it at 42.3%. The party had won 51% in December and 42% in February last year. The three main opposition parties all cleared the 5% threshold: the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) at 21-22%, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with former President Vjosa Osmani on its list at 17-18%, and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) at 7%.

Turnout collapse

Only about one in three eligible voters cast a ballot, according to preliminary data cited by ANSA. The sharply declining turnout was described as a clear sign of fatigue after a year and a half of political paralysis. The last legislature lasted only four months, during which Kurti held 57 of 120 seats but failed to break the institutional deadlock.

Government formation ahead

Vetevendosje will need coalition partners to form a new government. The three main opposition parties — all conservative — would have to set aside recent enmities and agree on an alternative majority to govern. Without a compromise, the political paralysis that has gripped Kosovo since early 2025 is likely to continue. The country has been without both a president of the republic and a speaker of parliament for more than two months.

Serbian minority and other seats

The Serbian minority is constitutionally guaranteed 10 seats. The Belgrade-linked Srpska Lista (SL) polled at around 5%, and preliminary results from North Mitrovica, the largest Serb municipality, showed it at 75% with 30% of votes counted, against the Kurti-friendly Serbian party Spo which fell short of 5%. Another 10 seats are reserved for other non-Serbian ethnic minorities — Roma, Turks, Bosniacs, and Egyptians — who almost always align with the governing majority.

Presidential election hurdle

A two-thirds majority in the 120-seat assembly is required to elect a new president. Parliament was dissolved in April after failing to choose a new head of state following the end of Vjosa Osmani's mandate. The election was called to break months of deadlock that have hurt efforts to improve ties with allies and the Serbian minority.

What comes next

Kurti, a populist center-left nationalist, appears to have missed an opportunity in the last short-lived legislature. His oppositional stance produced a mirror effect among his main rivals, resulting in institutional paralysis. Unless the opposition parties can overcome their differences, the new assembly risks repeating the same stalemate.