Kurti’s Vetevendosje Party Wins Third Straight Election as Kosovo Holds Early Vote

Voters in Kosovo went to the polls on Sunday, June 7, 2026, for an early parliamentary election that marked the third vote in less than 18 months. The election was called after the main political parties failed to agree by a March deadline on a successor to former President Vjosa Osmani.

The first inconclusive vote in February 2025 left the country without a functioning government for much of that year and forced a second election in December 2025.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s center-left Vetevendosje party has held a clear parliamentary majority since the December 2025 vote. Kosovo’s president, however, must be elected by at least 80 lawmakers in the 120-member assembly, requiring broader consensus. Preliminary results showed Kurti’s party winning the June 7 snap vote with a clear margin.

The two main opposition parties, the Democratic Party of Kosovo and the Democratic League of Kosovo, have accused Kurti of seeking full control over political institutions. Vjosa Osmani, who turned against Kurti after he refused to back her for a second term, ran on the opposition LDK list. After voting, Kurti said, “Today is a sunny Sunday, a very important day for democracy in Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 after the 1998-99 war ended with NATO bombing that forced Serbia to withdraw. The country has around 2 million voters and is recognized by the United States and most EU countries, but not by Serbia, Russia, or China. The prolonged political impasse has delayed access to EU and other international funds.

European Council President Antonio Costa visited Kosovo last week and urged the country to end the stalemate and unite over EU integration. Pristina and Belgrade have been told they must mend relations to advance their EU membership bids. ” The prolonged crisis has also affected Kosovo’s economy, already strained by the global energy crisis and rising fuel prices.