In a bid to end Kosovo’s 18-month political deadlock, Prime Minister Albin Kurti is calling for collaboration from rival parties following his Vetevendosje party’s win in Sunday’s parliamentary election. Although Vetevendosje secured the highest vote percentage, at 43%, it fell short of the majority needed to form a government independently.
The ongoing political instability is hampering Kosovo’s ambitions to join the European Union, as strong institutional reforms and governance are prerequisites for membership. Despite the electoral victory, the lack of majority control means that the impasse in creating functioning institutions continues, which could further delay EU funding and necessary reforms.
With voter turnout plummeting to below 37%, down from 45% in December, the call for cooperation among political parties is now more crucial than ever. As political analyst Artan Muhaxhiri remarks, the crisis might persist unless Kurti is ready to either govern with a tenuous majority or pursue significant compromises with the opposition.
(With inputs from agencies.)