A leftist party, Vetevendosje (VV), triumphed in the legislative elections Sunday, February 15 in Kosovo, far ahead of the old guard of the independence commanders, promising to eradicate corruption in the territory plagued by poverty and political instability.

This early legislative poll, the fifth since the proclamation of independence of the former Serbian province in 2008, was held as the coronavirus pandemic worsens.

The epidemic has also exacerbated the economic and social ills of the territory of 1.8 million inhabitants, where the average salary is around 500 euros and where young people, faced with an unemployment rate of 50%, are massively seeking their salvation. in emigration to Switzerland or Germany.

Albin Kurti's Vetevendosje ("self-determination") movement, party to war against patronage, has obviously succeeded in capitalizing on the weariness of the population.

"This election was a referendum on justice and jobs, against corruption and the capture of state resources," Albin Kurti said in his victory speech.

"This is unprecedented in post-war Kosovo."

With around 48% of the vote, according to official results showing the tally of nearly 90% of the vote, VV is well ahead of its main competitors.

The PDK, created by former rebel commanders of the War of Independence against Serbian forces (1998-99), won some 17% of the vote, while the center-right LDK won 13%.

In the snowy streets of Pristina, a crowd of Albin Kurti supporters braved the freezing cold to celebrate their victory in a concert of horns, setting off fireworks and waving the Albanian red flag.

New political generation

Supporters of Albin Kurti accuse the ex-guerrillas who have long dominated the top of power of having spoiled the first years of independence of the territory populated by majority Albanians.

"People are waiting for change, they are waiting for the end of the problems that plague us, such as corruption and nepotism," doctor Sadik Kelemendi told AFP before voting.

"We must also devote ourselves to the fight" against a virus that has killed more than 1,500 people and has failed to overwhelm fragile health services, he adds.

The ex-rebellion took part in the electoral fight handicapped by the absence of several major figures, such as former President Hashim Thaçi, indicted in November by international justice for war crimes during and after the conflict against Serbian forces.

Opposite, VV received the reinforcement of the interim president, Vjosa Osmani, 38, symbol of a new generation political class which left the center-right LDK of the outgoing Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti.

Vetevendosje had finished first in the last two legislative elections but had been ousted by coalitions concluded by others.

In 2020, the government of Albin Kurti, a formidable tribune who spent two years in the jails of former Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic, had held out for about fifty days before being overthrown.

This time, his movement can hope to form a government majority if it allies itself with the parties representing minorities, which have 20 out of 120 seats in parliament.

Albin Kurti, holding a hard line against Belgrade

Not all support the full program of a movement once known for its violent protests and anti-Western rhetoric, analysts say.

Albin Kurti is accused by his opponents of "dictatorial" aims and of representing a threat to the privileged relationship between Kosovo and the United States.

Authorities were prohibited from appearing in person on the grounds of a conviction for throwing tear gas in the Assembly.

But under Kosovar law, that does not prevent him from forming a government.

Taking a hard line against Belgrade, he would in this case have to continue a difficult dialogue with Serbia, supposed to normalize relations with Belgrade, which still refuses to recognize the independence of its former province.

More than 20 years after the war, this unresolved issue is a source of tension in the region and an obstacle to the dreams of a European Union in both Belgrade and Pristina.

But Albin Kurti warned that talks with Serbia were not high on his agenda.

"Dialogue is in sixth or seventh place for the citizens of Kosovo. Our priority is justice and jobs."

With AFP

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