PRISTINA — The Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje), led by incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti, won a strong absolute majority in Kosovo’s early parliamentary elections held on December 28, 2025, securing 51.1% of the vote, the Central Election Commission (KQZ) announced on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after finalizing the results.
According to the official tally released by the KQZ, Vetevendosje received 51.1% of the votes, translating to 57 seats in the 100-seat proportional representation segment of the 120-member Assembly. This performance gives Kurti’s party a commanding position to form the next government, though it falls just short of the 61-vote majority required for investiture without coalition partners.
The main opposition parties trailed significantly:
Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK): 20.19% — 22 seats
Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK): 13.24% — 15 seats
Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK): 5.50% — 6 seats
The Kosovo Democratic Turkish Party (KDTP), representing the Turkish community, garnered 0.57% of the vote and secured two reserved seats for non-majority communities. The Serbian List, representing Kosovo’s Serb community, was allocated the remaining 10 seats reserved for Serb parties under the constitutional quota system.
The final results confirm Vetevendosje as the clear winner of the snap elections, which were triggered after the collapse of Kurti’s previous minority government in late 2025 amid internal coalition fractures and disputes over budget and governance issues. Turnout was reported at 48.9%, slightly higher than the 2021 early elections.
Prime Minister Kurti, whose party first came to power in 2021 with a similar strong showing, hailed the outcome as a mandate for continued reforms. In a brief statement following the announcement, Kurti said: “The people of Kosovo have spoken clearly. We will work tirelessly to deliver on our promises of good governance, rule of law, economic development, and Euro-Atlantic integration.”
Opposition leaders conceded defeat but signaled readiness to engage in talks. PDK leader Memli Krasniqi described the result as “a clear victory for Vetevendosje” while urging the formation of a stable government that includes broader political representation. LDK and AAK representatives similarly acknowledged the outcome and indicated willingness to negotiate, though both emphasized the need for accountability and checks on executive power.
Kosovo’s 120-seat Assembly includes 100 seats elected by proportional representation and 20 seats reserved for non-majority communities (10 for Serbs and 10 for other minorities). A new government requires at least 61 votes for investiture, meaning Vetevendosje will likely need at least one coalition partner or support from minority deputies to secure a stable majority.
Talks to form a governing coalition are expected to begin in the coming days. Analysts suggest Vetevendosje may seek to renew or expand its previous cooperation with minority parties, particularly non-Serb communities, to reach the necessary threshold without relying on the main opposition blocks.
The election took place against a backdrop of continued challenges, including stalled EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia, economic pressures, energy security concerns, and the ongoing quest for broader international recognition of Kosovo’s 2008 independence.
The Central Election Commission certified the results after weeks of vote counting, complaints adjudication, and recounts in several polling stations. International observers from the OSCE/ODIHR, European Parliament, and Council of Europe described the election as generally well-administered and competitive, though they noted concerns over inflammatory rhetoric, media polarization, and isolated procedural irregularities.
With Vetevendosje’s commanding lead confirmed, attention now shifts to coalition negotiations and the formation of a new government, which must be approved by the Assembly within 30 days of the first sitting of the new legislature.
