Kosovo holds third election in 18 months as EU warns of funding cuts
Kosovo holds third parliamentary election in 18 months as political deadlock deepens
PRISTINA — Kosovo’s 1.96 million eligible voters cast ballots on Sunday in the country’s third parliamentary election in less than 18 months, a fresh attempt to break a crippling political impasse that has already jeopardised critical European Union funding. Polling stations opened at 7:00 AM CEST and will close at 7:00 PM, with the center-left Vetëvendosje party of incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti seeking to retain power amid deepening institutional gridlock .
The snap vote follows repeated failures to elect a new president, a constitutional requirement that has left Kosovo without a head of state since April 2025. Political factions remain locked in disputes over power-sharing and minority rights, paralysing legislative progress and prompting the EU to warn that delayed reforms could threaten the disbursement of €1 billion in promised grants . “The absence of a functioning presidency and parliament is eroding investor confidence and delaying essential reforms,” said a senior EU diplomat in Pristina, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Kurti’s Vetëvendosje, which won the most seats in the October 2024 election but fell short of a majority, has campaigned on its economic record, highlighting GDP growth of 3.8% in 2025 and a 12% rise in foreign direct investment. Yet critics argue that the government’s refusal to compromise on key legislation—including a stalled border demarcation deal with Montenegro—has undermined stability. “We need a parliament that can function, not one that repeats the same mistakes,” said Vjosa Osmani, leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo, the main opposition party .
International observers, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, have raised concerns over the election’s credibility, citing delays in updating voter rolls and allegations of pressure on ethnic Serb communities in northern municipalities. Turnout is expected to dip below the 40% recorded in the October vote, reflecting voter fatigue after successive elections in February 2025 and October 2024 .
If no party secures a majority, Kosovo risks another round of protracted negotiations—or yet another election. The EU has tied further financial support to the formation of a stable government capable of implementing reforms, including judicial independence and anti-corruption measures. “The clock is ticking,” warned the EU diplomat. “Without a functioning parliament by autumn, the consequences for Kosovo’s economy and its European aspirations will be severe.”
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