Description: Albin Kurti’s left-wing party Vetevendosje led the polls ahead of the Kosovo elections on Sunday with PDK (Democratic Party of Kosovo) and LDK (Democratic League of Kosovo) being close second. Kosovo’s issues ranged from severe economic instability to bilateral interethnic tensions with Serbia and the lack of international funding for investment projects. The seizure of funding commenced with the disbandment of the USAID agency, which had invested over $2 billion in Kosovo since 1999. The EU funding for the projects has also been conditional on de-escalation of the tensions with Serbia on Kosovo’s northern border where KFOR has increased its presence for the upcoming elections.
Impact: Ever since gaining independence in 2008, Kosovo has been in a constant state of political and economic fluctuation between the US and the EU. The majority of the political establishments in the country are connected to former paramilitary formations which have subsequently gained popularity in the secession struggle with Serbia. The country is faced with mounting tensions from its neighbor Serbia which refuses to recognize its independence which in turn presents severe risk factor for future destabilization in the region. The elections could determine whether the country would reiterate its stance on the Serbia question or aim towards reestablishment of stable economic flows which could see its economy growing in the near future.