Kosovan parliamentary election, 6 October 2019

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Author (Corporate)
Publication Date October 2019
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Summary:

Reports, analyses and information relating to the parliamentary election held in Kosovo in October 2019.

Further information:

The snap election was called in August 2019 by the President Hashim Thaci after members of Parliament voted to dissolve the chamber following the resignation of Kosovo's Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. The election was scheduled to be held on 6 October. In Kosovo, 100 of the 120 seats are elected using open list proportional representation by all voters, with the remaining 20 seats reserved for national and ethnic minorities.

Preliminary results showed that the two main opposition parties - Vetevendosje (Self-determination) and Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) - had obtained the highest share of votes. Both parties had suggested ahead of the election that they would be willing to form a coalition to remove the Democratic Party of Kosovo (DPK) from office after 12 years in power. The final results finally showed a slim parliamentary majority for a coalition between those parties. Even so, their political leaders vowed to bring elements from the minorities into the government.

Vetevendosje and LDK reached an agreement to create a government on 2 February 2020, which was endorsed by the Parliament on the following day. The cabinet would be led by Albin Kurti.

Related Links
Commentary and Analysis
Wikipedia: 2019 Kosovo parliamentary election https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Kosovan_parliamentary_election
IFES Election Guide: Election for Kosovac Assembly http://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/3354/
Europe Elects, 03/10/2019: Kosovan Elections: Fractured Alliances Cast Long Political Shadows https://europeelects.eu/2019/10/03/kosovan-elections-fractured-alliances-cast-long-political-shadows/
BBC News, 05/10/2019: Kosovo election: War crimes claims against PM hang over vote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49931673
Euronews, 05/10/2019: Kosovo: What you need to know about the country's snap elections https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/05/kosovo-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-country-s-snap-elections
RFE/RL, 07/10/2019: Key Takeaways From Kosovo's Watershed Vote https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-elections-watershed-key-takeaways/30204385.html
BBC News, 07/10/2019: Kosovo election: Opposition parties claim win https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49955689
Voanews, 09/10/2019: Kosovo Election Changes Political Scene, Reshapes Negotiations with Serbia https://www.voanews.com/europe/kosovo-election-changes-political-scene-reshapes-negotiations-serbia
OSW: Analyses, 09/10/2019: Kosovo: sweeping victory for the opposition https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2019-10-09/kosovo-sweeping-victory-opposition
LSE: EUROPP Blog, 18/10/2019: Five lessons from Kosovo’s parliamentary elections https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2019/10/18/five-lessons-from-kosovos-parliamentary-elections/
Balkan Insight, 07/11/2019: Kosovo Final Election Result Confirms Vetevendosje Victory https://balkaninsight.com/2019/11/07/kosovo-final-election-result-confirms-vetevendosje-victory/
OSW: Analyses, 05/02/2020: Kosovo: a protest movement comes to power https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/analyses/2020-02-05/kosovo-a-protest-movement-comes-to-power

News
The Guardian, 19/07/2019: Kosovo PM resigns before questioning at The Hague https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/19/kosovo-pm-resigns-before-questioning-at-the-hague
RFE/RL, 22/08/2019: Kosovo Lawmakers Vote To Disband Parliament To Allow Snap Autumn Elections https://www.rferl.org/a/kosovo-parlaimentary-elections/30122932.html
Voanews, 06/10/2019: Kosovars Go to Polls in Early Parliamentary Elections https://www.voanews.com/europe/kosovars-go-polls-early-parliamentary-elections
Reuters, 06/10/2019: Kosovo voters flock to opposition parties in parliamentary poll https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN1WK0L6
Euronews, 07/10/2019: Opposition parties overturn Kosovo politics with election victory https://www.euronews.com/2019/10/06/kosovo-voters-focus-on-tackling-corruption-and-serbia-peace-deal-in-election
France24, 07/10/2019: Opposition parties beat ‘war wing’ in Kosovo elections https://www.france24.com/en/20191007-opposition-parties-claim-victory-over-war-parties-kosovo-elections
Balkan Insight, 07/10/2019: Opposition Vetevendosje Party Triumphs in Kosovo Election https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/07/opposition-vetevendosje-party-triumphs-in-kosovo-election/
EurActiv, 08/10/2019: Kosovo dissident Albin Kurti reaches halls of power https://www.euractiv.com/section/enlargement/news/kosovo-dissident-albin-kurti-reaches-halls-of-power/1388287/
Balkan Insight, 08/10/2019: EU Observers Criticise ‘Pressure’ on Kosovo Serb Voters https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/08/eu-observers-criticise-pressure-on-kosovo-serb-voters/
Balkan Insight, 09/10/2019: Kosovo Election Winners Seek Coalition Agreement https://balkaninsight.com/2019/10/09/kosovo-election-winners-seek-coalition-agreement/
Reuters, 07/11/2019: Kosovo set for two-party government coalition - final election results https://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKKBN1XH1N4
Balkan Insight, 29/01/2020: Deadline Looms for Kurti to Form Kosovo Government https://balkaninsight.com/2020/01/29/deadline-looms-for-kurti-to-form-kosovo-government/
Reuters, 03/02/2020: Kosovo approves new government, PM vows to be tough negotiator with Serbia https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1ZX2HO
Balkan Insight, 03/02/2020: Kosovo Parliament Backs New Govt Under Kurti https://balkaninsight.com/2020/02/03/kosovo-parliament-backs-new-govt-under-kurti/
Deutsche Welle, 03/02/2020: Kosovo approves former rebel leader as prime minister https://p.dw.com/p/3X9r2
Euronews, 04/02/2020: Albin Kurti: Kosovo's new prime minister vows to rebuild Serbia ties https://www.euronews.com/2020/02/02/kosovo-parties-reach-coalition-deal-ending-months-of-uncertainty

Official
United Nations: News, 31/10/2019: Kosovo elections: ‘Most significant change’ in 12 years, Security Council hears https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/10/1050381
EU EEAS: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the new government (4 February 2020) https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/73951/

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