Kosovars went to the polls Sunday in an early election that could see a new generation of politicians take the lead after tapping into widespread frustration and fatigue with the political establishment.
The general election follows a year in which the coronavirus pandemic has deepened social and economic crises in the former Serbian province, which declared independence 13 years ago.
Already home to one of Europe's poorest economies, Kosovo is now struggling through a pandemic-triggered downturn, with vaccinations yet to start for the population of 1.8 million.
"The people are waiting for change, they are waiting for the removal of that which has hindered us, such as corruption and nepotism," Sadik Kelemendi, a doctor, told AFP before casting his ballot in the capital Pristina, where snow covered the ground and temperatures were below freezing.
The anti-establishment Vetevendosje (Self-determination) party, a long-time critic of local elites, looks set to benefit from a growing hunger for change.
Polls place it in first place, though potentially short of an absolute majority.
Once known for provocative stunts such as unleashing tear gas in parliament, the party has been campaigning on an anti-corruption platform, accusing past leaders of squandering Kosovo's first years of independence through graft and mismanagement.
For most of the past decade, Kosovo has been run by the former rebel commanders who led the 1990s rebellion of ethnic Albanian guerrillas against Serb forces.
But their camp is now missing its top leaders after a court in The Hague detained ex-president Hashim Thaci and others in November on charges of war crimes dating back to the conflict.
Analysts say this helps open the door for Vetevendosje, whose calls for change may even win over some who do not align with the movement's radical past, such as their sometimes violent protests and anti-West rhetoric.
"For many, Vetevendosje is being seen as the last resort which will either make or break the country," Donika Emini, executive director of CiviKos Platform, a umbrella group for NGOs, told AFP.
- 'New generation' -
Led by 45-year-old former political prisoner Albin Kurti, Vetevendosje has finished first in the last two elections.
But in both cases it was eventually outmanoeuvred by other parties who united to form majority coalitions.
After the 2019 election, Kurti was prime minister for a brief 50 days before his coalition crumbled.
This time he is confident he can translate a victory into a lasting government.
"We are coming, they are leaving," he told supporters ahead of the poll.
Rivals have been attacking Kurti -- who enjoys fervent devotion among fans -- of preparing "a dictatorship" and threatening Kosovo's important alliance with the US.
Kurti's rivals are also pledging to create jobs and raise salaries.
But the latest polls suggest their promises are ringing hollow for many, with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) -- the party of ex-rebels -- projected to finish in second place with around 20 percent of the vote, followed by the outgoing Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
This time Kurti is also boosted by an alliance with acting President Vjosa Osmani, a dynamic 38-year-old who recently joined his side after leaving the LDK.
"I think it is about time that Kosovo is led by not only a new generation of politicians in terms of age, but especially in terms of mindset," she told AFP.
- Brain drain -
Kurti and Osmani are particularly popular among young people facing soaring unemployment in Kosovo, a reality that pushes many to go abroad in a growing "brain drain" crisis.
While Kurti himself cannot run as an MP -- he is banned due to a 2018 court conviction for unleashing tear gas in parliament -- his party could still appoint him as their prime minister.
There are also 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities in the 120-member assembly, half of them for the Serb community.
But in Serb-majority parts of north, there was little election excitement in a race dominated by the Srpska Lista party that is closely aligned with Belgrade.
"I keep hoping that new people will get organised and offer something new, but that is not happening," said Aleksandra Jovic, a 33-year-old in Mitrovica.
Whoever takes the reins of government will be under pressure to reboot stalling negotiations with Belgrade, which still denies Kosovo's statehood.
Polls will close at 1800 GMT, with initial results expected in the late evening.
Kosovars went to the polls Sunday in an early election that could see a new generation of politicians take the lead after tapping into widespread frustration and fatigue with the political establishment.
The general election follows a year in which the coronavirus pandemic has deepened social and economic crises in the former Serbian province, which declared independence 13 years ago.
Already home to one of Europe’s poorest economies, Kosovo is now struggling through a pandemic-triggered downturn, with vaccinations yet to start for the population of 1.8 million.
“The people are waiting for change, they are waiting for the removal of that which has hindered us, such as corruption and nepotism,” Sadik Kelemendi, a doctor, told AFP before casting his ballot in the capital Pristina, where snow covered the ground and temperatures were below freezing.
The anti-establishment Vetevendosje (Self-determination) party, a long-time critic of local elites, looks set to benefit from a growing hunger for change.
Polls place it in first place, though potentially short of an absolute majority.
Once known for provocative stunts such as unleashing tear gas in parliament, the party has been campaigning on an anti-corruption platform, accusing past leaders of squandering Kosovo’s first years of independence through graft and mismanagement.
For most of the past decade, Kosovo has been run by the former rebel commanders who led the 1990s rebellion of ethnic Albanian guerrillas against Serb forces.
But their camp is now missing its top leaders after a court in The Hague detained ex-president Hashim Thaci and others in November on charges of war crimes dating back to the conflict.
Analysts say this helps open the door for Vetevendosje, whose calls for change may even win over some who do not align with the movement’s radical past, such as their sometimes violent protests and anti-West rhetoric.
“For many, Vetevendosje is being seen as the last resort which will either make or break the country,” Donika Emini, executive director of CiviKos Platform, a umbrella group for NGOs, told AFP.
– ‘New generation’ –
Led by 45-year-old former political prisoner Albin Kurti, Vetevendosje has finished first in the last two elections.
But in both cases it was eventually outmanoeuvred by other parties who united to form majority coalitions.
After the 2019 election, Kurti was prime minister for a brief 50 days before his coalition crumbled.
This time he is confident he can translate a victory into a lasting government.
“We are coming, they are leaving,” he told supporters ahead of the poll.
Rivals have been attacking Kurti — who enjoys fervent devotion among fans — of preparing “a dictatorship” and threatening Kosovo’s important alliance with the US.
Kurti’s rivals are also pledging to create jobs and raise salaries.
But the latest polls suggest their promises are ringing hollow for many, with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) — the party of ex-rebels — projected to finish in second place with around 20 percent of the vote, followed by the outgoing Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
This time Kurti is also boosted by an alliance with acting President Vjosa Osmani, a dynamic 38-year-old who recently joined his side after leaving the LDK.
“I think it is about time that Kosovo is led by not only a new generation of politicians in terms of age, but especially in terms of mindset,” she told AFP.
– Brain drain –
Kurti and Osmani are particularly popular among young people facing soaring unemployment in Kosovo, a reality that pushes many to go abroad in a growing “brain drain” crisis.
While Kurti himself cannot run as an MP — he is banned due to a 2018 court conviction for unleashing tear gas in parliament — his party could still appoint him as their prime minister.
There are also 20 seats reserved for ethnic minorities in the 120-member assembly, half of them for the Serb community.
But in Serb-majority parts of north, there was little election excitement in a race dominated by the Srpska Lista party that is closely aligned with Belgrade.
“I keep hoping that new people will get organised and offer something new, but that is not happening,” said Aleksandra Jovic, a 33-year-old in Mitrovica.
Whoever takes the reins of government will be under pressure to reboot stalling negotiations with Belgrade, which still denies Kosovo’s statehood.
Polls will close at 1800 GMT, with initial results expected in the late evening.
