Kurti Vows Quick Government Formation Post-Election Victory

Xenio

Dec 28, 2025

Political Developments in Kosovo

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has announced his intention to quickly form a new government following his party's victory in the recent election. This outcome marks a potential resolution to the year-long political stalemate that has hindered parliamentary operations and delayed crucial international funding.

The election, which is the second this year, came after Kurti's Vetevendosje Party failed to secure a majority in February. The lack of successful coalition negotiations led President Vjosa Osmani to dissolve parliament in November and call for an early election.

According to preliminary results, Kurti's party was leading with 49.3% of the vote, with 99% of votes counted after polls closed at 7 p.m. local time (1800 GMT). At a press conference held at his party's headquarters, Kurti emphasized the urgency of forming a new government.

"Once the results will be certified we should swiftly constitute the parliament and then form immediately a new government," Kurti stated. He urged opposition members to support him in passing international loan deals, which require a two-thirds majority to pass.

Kurti's supporters celebrated in the streets of Pristina, chanting his name while waving his party's flags. Fireworks lit up the sky, despite the temperatures dropping to minus-3 Celsius.

Analysts suggest that it remains uncertain whether Kurti can form a government on his own without a coalition to secure the 61 seats needed in the 120-seat assembly. Votes from the Kosovo diaspora in Western European countries have not yet been counted, making the final results unclear.

"The results are not final and I don't see how Kurti will form the government alone but it will be very easy for him to govern with a small coalition," said Ismet Kryeziu of the Kosovo Democratic Institute think tank. He noted that Kurti needs only a few votes from Albanian or minority parties to form the new cabinet.

The two main opposition parties, the Democratic Party and the Democratic League, were at 21% and 13.6%, respectively. This highlights the challenges Kurti may face in securing broad support for his government.

Political Crisis at a Critical Juncture

Another failure to form a government and reopen parliament would prolong the crisis at a critical time. Lawmakers must elect a new president in April and ratify 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) in loan agreements from the European Union and World Bank that expire in the coming months.

Opposition parties have refused to govern with Kurti, criticizing his handling of ties with Western allies and his approach to Kosovo's ethnically divided north, where a Serb minority resides. Kurti, however, blames the opposition for the impasse.

To attract voters, Kurti has pledged an additional month of salary per year for public sector workers, 1 billion euros per year in capital investment, and a new prosecution unit to fight organized crime. Opposition parties have also focused on improving living standards, which is a major concern for voters.

Turnout was 45%, according to the results. This figure reflects the level of voter engagement in the election.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 with U.S. backing, including a 1999 NATO bombing campaign against Serbian forces trying to crush an uprising by the 90% ethnic Albanian majority. Despite international support, the country of 1.6 million has struggled with poverty, instability, and organized crime.

Kurti's tenure, which began in 2021, was the first time a Pristina government completed a full term. Tensions with Serbia flared in 2023, prompting the EU to impose sanctions on Kosovo. The bloc recently announced it would lift these measures after ethnic Serb mayors were elected in northern municipalities, although the sanctions likely cost Kosovo hundreds of millions of euros.