Voters in Kosovo are participating in parliamentary elections on Sunday, marking the third such vote in just a year and a half as the nation continues to grapple with a prolonged governmental crisis where no single political party has managed to secure sufficient control.
The Balkan nation, which holds the distinction of being Europe’s newest country, maintains goals of European Union membership but has operated without an effective government for the majority of the past year. This dysfunction stems from a divided parliament that has been unable to select both a parliamentary speaker and a president.
While recent polling data is unavailable, political experts anticipate another win for Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetevendosje party. Nevertheless, analysts believe he will need to negotiate agreements with rival parties to obtain the two-thirds parliamentary support necessary for choosing a new president.
In December’s previous election, Kurti’s party secured 51.1% of votes, an increase from the 42% they received in February 2025. Despite this success, disagreements with other parties over presidential candidates led to parliament’s dissolution in April and triggered this latest emergency election.
European Union officials have called on Kosovo’s political leaders to establish robust governmental institutions capable of implementing the changes required for EU membership. Kosovo proclaimed its independence from Serbia in 2008.
Kurti’s political movement initially gained power in 2021 running on a platform emphasizing nationalism and social welfare programs. The party maintains a pro-Western stance like other Kosovo political groups while rejecting additional compromises with Serbia, a relationship that continues to face difficulties.
Election officials report that over 900 candidates representing 17 political parties and three coalition groups are vying for positions in the 120-member parliament.
Registration records show approximately 2.1 million eligible voters, a number exceeding Kosovo’s domestic population of 1.6 million residents due to a substantial expatriate community living primarily throughout western Europe. This overseas population typically supports Kurti’s party.
