Months of political deadlock – new elections in Kosovo

TT

Published 08.30

 

Albin Kurtis is the favourite during an election rally on December 24 in the capital Pristina. Photo: Visar Kryeziu/AP/TT

After ten months of political deadlock, new elections are now being held in Kosovo.

The snap parliamentary elections were called after Prime Minister Albin Kurti's party failed to form a government after the February elections.

Kurti's party is again the favourite but it is uncertain whether it will get a majority.

The deadlock is the first of its kind since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. As a result, no budget has been approved for next year, raising concerns about the country's already strained economy.

A new president is also to be elected in March. If that fails, another new election is expected.

Sweden is one of just over a hundred countries that recognize Kosovo as independent, something Serbia still does not do.