PRISTINA: Polls opened in Kosovo on Sunday after a combative election campaign in which opposition candidates clashed with Prime Minister Albin Kurti over the economy, corruption and relations with the country's old foe and neighbour Serbia. Kurti, a leftist and Albanian nationalist, came to power in the small Balkan country in 2021 when a coalition run by his Vetevendosje party received more than 50 per cent of votes and secured a seven-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament. Political analysts say his popularity has been bolstered by moves to extend government control in Kosovo's ethnic Serb-majority north. But critics say he has failed to deliver on education and health, and his policies have distanced Kosovo from its traditional allies, the European Union and the United States. "It is a new day. I thank all the citizens who have already cast their vote and I encourage every citizen to vote," Kurti said after casting his ballot.
The EU placed economic curbs on the country in 2023 for its role in stoking tensions with ethnic Serbs, cutting at least 150 million euros ($155 million) in funding, Reuters has found. A drop below 50 per cent of the votes for Kurti's party could prompt coalition talks after the election.
Opposition parties include the centre-right Democratic League of Kosovo which has campaigned on restoring relations with the United States and the EU, and joining NATO; and the Democratic Party of Kosovo, also centre-right, founded by former guerrilla fighters of the Kosovo Liberation Army. "I am optimistic. It was long campaign," said Bedri Hamza, Democratic Party of Kosovo candidate for prime minister.
Kosovo, Europe's newest country, gained independence from Serbia in 2008 with backing from the United States after a 78-day Nato bombing campaign against Serbian forces in 1999. Kurti says his policies in the north, which include reducing the autonomy of Serbs living in Kosovo, are helping to bring ethnic Serbs and Albanians together under one system of government. But his rhetoric worries centrist politicians. "When you have a bad neighbour, then you have to keep your morale high and your rifle full," he said in a campaign speech near the Serbian border this week.
Kurti's government has overseen some gains. Unemployment has shrunk from 30 per cent to around 10 per cent, the minimum wage is up and last year the economy grew faster than the Western Balkans average. "It has never been better for us than right now (with this government). I hope there will be more of such a good days," said Kumrije Prekaj, 44, who voted in Pristina. The election campaign has been acrimonious. The Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel, which monitors party and candidates' complaints, has issued more than 650,000 euros in fines to parties this election season, three times the 2021 tally, data from NGO Democracy in Action show. — Reuters
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