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Vetevendosje Leads Kosovo’s Repeat Election as Exit Polls Point to Another Shortfall in Seats

Pressure mounts to quickly form a government because the 2026 budget and about €1 billion in EU and World Bank financing still await parliamentary approval.

Overview

  • Election-day surveys from T7, Klan Kosova and Dukagjini put Albin Kurti’s party around 43–46% and at roughly 50 of 120 seats, below the 61 needed to govern alone.
  • The second vote this year follows a ten‑month stalemate after February’s results, with parliament failing repeatedly to organize and President Vjosa Osmani ordering new elections in November.
  • Major opposition parties PDK, LDK and AAK have refused to enter a coalition with Kurti, accusing him of polarizing leadership and hardline policies.
  • Failure to swiftly assemble a majority leaves the 2026 budget and the ratification of roughly €1 billion in EU and World Bank credit agreements in limbo, with tight deadlines approaching.
  • Kurti’s drive to curb Serbian influence remains popular with many Kosovo-Albanians but has strained ties with Western partners, although the EU has signaled some sanctions relief.