Pristina, 28 December 2025 (dpa/MIA) - Kosovo will on Sunday elect a new parliament for the second time in 11 months, with Prime Minister Albin Kurti's left-leaning Vetëvendosje (Self-Determination Movement) remaining a clear favourite to win.

The early election was necessary because although Vetëvendosje emerged as the largest party in the regular polls on February 9, it failed to achieve a workable majority in parliament.

Since then, the new parliament has remained stalled, unable to agree on its leadership and therefore unable to conduct business.

Kurti has governed Kosovo since 2021 with a reform agenda that has had mixed results so far.

However, he is banking on a decisive victory in this election as in 2021, when he was able to form a government practically on his own.

If he falls short, the question arises as to whether the key political players will be willing to compromise this time to enable a coalition government.

Polling stations open at 7 am (0600 GMT) and close at 7 pm. The first results are expected on Sunday evening.

Formerly a province of Serbia, Kosovo, whose population is almost exclusively Albanian, declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following an uprising and NATO intervention in 1999.

It has been recognized by more than 100 countries, but not by Russia, Serbia, Greece or Spain. It is seen as a potential candidate for accession to the European Union.

MIA file photo