Ask Onix
Preliminary results confirm Vetevendosje landslide
Kosovo's nationalist Vetevendosje party has swept to a commanding victory in the country's second parliamentary election of 2025, preliminary counts show.
With 90 % of ballots tallied, the left-wing movement led by Prime Minister Albin Kurti captured 50.8 % of the vote, positioning him for a third consecutive term at the helm. The outcome follows months of political gridlock that left Kosovo without a functioning government since February.
Opposition trails far behind
The centre-right Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) secured 20.98 %, while the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) garnered 13.89 %, leaving both parties well short of the threshold needed to challenge Vetevendosje's dominance.
Despite the decisive margin, Kurti's party still falls short of an outright majority in the 120-seat National Assembly. Analysts expect he will seek support from the 20 seats reserved for ethnic-minority representatives to form a stable coalition.
Voter verdict on political deadlock
The snap election was called after opposition parties blocked Kurti's attempts to form a government following the February 9 vote, which also delivered a Vetevendosje plurality but no clear majority.
The electorate's resounding endorsement of Kurti suggests frustration with the prolonged stalemate outweighed concerns over his polarising leadership style. Kurti hailed the result as "the greatest victory in the country's history" and called on rivals to cooperate rather than obstruct.
"When voters speak, the result cannot be ignored. Reflection and responsible action are required."
Arben Gashi, LDK
High stakes for Kosovo's future
The months of political paralysis have cost Kosovo hundreds of millions of euros in frozen European Union funds. Kurti has also cited potential World Bank agreements that could unlock over €1 billion in total support, contingent on a functional government.
Restoring relations with key allies-the EU and the United States-remains a pressing priority. Kurti's repeated targeting of institutions serving Kosovo's Serb minority, including post offices and healthcare facilities, has strained ties with Brussels and Washington, escalating tensions in the Serb-majority north.
The EU recently lifted punitive measures imposed in 2023 but expects Kurti to adopt a pragmatic stance in stalled normalisation talks with Serbia. Given his frosty relationship with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, observers question whether such a shift is likely.
Public fatigue with alternatives
Kosovo's voters appear to have prioritised stability over concerns about Vetevendosje's governance record. Analyst Artan Muhaxhiri noted the party's "countless constitutional violations, stagnant economic development, and frayed relations with allies" during its tenure.
Yet, he concluded, "Despite these shortcomings, citizens viewed the opposition as more damaging." The sentiment reflects broader disillusionment with parties linked to the Kosovo Liberation Army, which dominated governance in the decade after the 2008 declaration of independence but failed to deliver promised prosperity.
