Overview
- Voters return to the polls on December 28 after an inconclusive February ballot left Kosovo without a functioning government.
- Caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje is expected to place first, yet experts caution the vote may not yield a governing majority.
- PDK’s newly elected leader Bedri Hamza emerges as the main challenger, while LDK’s Lumir Abdixhiku could become the key power broker.
- Months of paralysis have delayed ratification of international agreements and cost at least €30 million, putting hundreds of millions in assistance at risk.
- The EU is lifting 2023 sanctions and unblocking over €400 million, as failure to form a cabinet could jeopardize access to the bloc’s €6 billion Growth Plan.