Kosovo wakes up to 'political earthquake' as Kurti wins election

Albin Kurti’s victory in Kosovo’s national elections signals a potential end to a year-long political deadlock, raising hopes for a new government and renewed stability.

Reuters

December 29, 2025

Supporters of Kosovo's Prime Minister and Levizja Vetevendosje (Movement for Self-Determination) party leader Albin Kurti celebrate after the party won more than half of the votes in a snap parliamentary election, nearly a year after a political deadlock that prevented the formation of a new government, in Pristina, Kosovo, December 28, 2025. REUTERS/Florion Goga

Florion Goga/Reuters

Kosovo woke up to a 'political earthquake' on Monday (December 29) after Prime Minister Albin Kurti won national elections, raising hopes of an end to political deadlock.

Kurti said he would swiftly form a new government after his party won half the votes in Sunday's election, signalling a possible end to the year-long impasse that has paralysed parliament and delayed key international funding.

Members of the public in the capital Pristina were hopeful that the result could finally mean a breakthrough.

Political analyst Ilir Deda said Kurti had "shattered the opposition parties," and that the result would be felt for the next decade.

Deda said that although Kurti's Vetevendosje Party had not picked up many votes over the last election in February 2025, voters had "punished" the opposition for the deadlock.

Production: Fatos Bytyci, Branko Filipovic, Fedja Grulovic, Thomas Holdstock/Reuters

Kosovo woke up to a 'political earthquake' on Monday (December 29) after Prime Minister Albin Kurti won national elections, raising hopes of an end to political deadlock.

Members of the public in the capital Pristina were hopeful that the result could finally mean a breakthrough.

Political analyst Ilir Deda said Kurti had "shattered the opposition parties," and that the result would be felt for the next decade.

Deda said that although Kurti's Vetevendosje Party had not picked up many votes over the last election in February 2025, voters had "punished" the opposition for the deadlock.

Production: Fatos Bytyci, Branko Filipovic, Fedja Grulovic, Thomas Holdstock/Reuters