Get the opposition victory in Kosovo – NRK Urix – Foreign News & Documentaries

Well aided by frustration over the old political elite, it was anticipated that several young politicians would do very well in Sunday’s election.

When about 80 percent of the votes were counted, Vetevendosje (Sjølvrådenett) had received about 48 percent. Thus, the party appears to have almost doubled its support since the 2019 elections.

Over the past year, the coronary pandemic has exacerbated social and economic problems in the country and vaccination has not yet started. Even before the pandemic, Kosovo was one of the poorest countries in Europe.

Jubel and Pristina

In the capital, Pristina, party supporters gathered to celebrate the waltz, many of them without bandages.

The party, which describes itself as left-wing and nationalist, was originally branded as a protest movement. The party fights, among other things, against corruption that is blamed on the more established tenants.

Opinion polls showed beforehand that the party would finish in a clear first place, but that it might not secure a clear majority in the National Assembly.

Vetevendosje appears to be in majority hands and control, if they merge with the minority party for which 20 of the 120 seats in the national assembly are reserved. Half of them represent Serbs.

Acknowledge defeat

The PDK party, which has been in power for several years, is likely to get about 17 percent of the vote.

The conservative LDK party, on the other hand, is close to 13 percent. Until the previous change of government, the party served as prime minister for four months.

Both PDK and LDK have acknowledged defeat. Outgoing Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti (LDK) says the party will be a “constructive opposition” in the National Assembly.

Led by former guerrilla leaders

For the past 10 years, Kosovo has been ruled primarily by former guerrilla leaders who spearheaded the resistance of Kosovar Albanians against Serbian forces in the 1990s.

Several of them, including former President Hashim Thaci, are currently in prison in The Hague. Thus, the ruling party has lost one of its most important front figures. Thaci is accused of war crimes during the campaigns against the Serbs, but has not pleaded guilty.

Breiare appeal

According to analysts, the loss of Thaci and several other well-known figures has helped pave the way for Vetevendosje. They believe the party also collects votes from more moderate voters, although they are critical of the movement’s radical past and violent demonstrations against the government.

The party began in the 2000s as a movement that fought against the elite and international influence in Kosovo. In 2011, the movement took the step towards party politics and radical inventions have waned in recent years.

The new elections in Kosovo were held because a constitutional court ruled that the previous government was formed by a null vote in the National Assembly. Polling stations were open from 7 am to 7 pm on Sunday.