Kosovo’s ruling Vetevendosje (Self-Determination) movement of Prime Minister Albin Kurti suffered losses in key municipalities in Sunday’s local elections, as opposition parties made gains across much of the country, according to preliminary results.
The Central Election Commission (CEC) said the vote concluded in 21 out of 38 municipalities, while 17 others, including the capital Pristina, will head to a runoff on November 9 after no candidate secured more than 50% of votes.
In Pristina, incumbent mayor Përparim Rama of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led narrowly with 33.76% of votes, ahead of Hajrulla Çeku of Vetevendosje with 33.05%. Former health minister Uran Ismaili of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) trailed with 27.77%.
Analysts said the results showed no clear nationwide winner, reflecting growing political fragmentation and voter frustration with established parties.
“Each party recorded both successes and failures,” political analyst Artan Muhaxhiri told Radio Free Europe. “Voters have sent a message by punishing improvisation and rewarding more credible candidates.”
According to the CEC, Vetevendosje won outright in three municipalities — Podujeva, Kamenica and Shtime — matching the PDK’s victories in Ferizaj, Skenderaj and Hani i Elezit. The LDK secured Lipjan and Istog, while the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) won Deçan and the NISMA party retained Malishevë. Ramiz Lladrovci’s independent list won in Drenas.
Serb-majority municipalities largely remained under the control of the Belgrade-backed Srpska Lista, which won in nine of ten such areas. A runoff is expected in Klokot, where the Serbian National Unity list performed strongly.
Turnout stood at 39.6%, down from 43% in the 2021 local elections, reflecting voter fatigue and disillusionment with the political process.
Muhaxhiri said that while Vetevendosje remains a major force, it is now a “relative loser” compared to its previous dominance. “The results do not match the level of electoral strength the party claims to hold,” he said.
He added that opposition parties — the LDK, PDK, AAK and NISMA — each managed to consolidate support in traditional strongholds but failed to achieve sweeping breakthroughs.
Analyst Besar Gërgi from the Group for Legal and Political Studies said the runoffs could reshape alliances. “The second round will blur the red lines between parties,” he said, noting that cooperation agreements could emerge similar to those seen in 2021 when Vetevendosje and the PDK formed a post-election coalition in Gjilan.
Observers said the dominance of Srpska Lista in northern Kosovo was expected, driven by strong backing from Serbia and what analysts called Pristina’s weak institutional outreach in the region.
“These results set the stage for continued political tension between Serb-majority municipalities and the central government,” Muhaxhiri said. “They could consume significant political energy and carry a destabilizing potential.”
More than two million citizens were eligible to vote in the elections, which proceeded without major incidents, the CEC said.