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1 1 (October 16, 2019)

handle is hein.crs/govbbka0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional _____ ~Research Service informing the Iegistative debate since 1914 Kosovo's Election: Early Results May Signal Major Changes October 16, 2019 On October 6, 2019, Kosovo held its fourth parliamentary election since declaring independence from Serbia in 2008 (Serbia does not recognize Kosovo's independence). Opposition parties' strong performance may result in the most consequential government turnover since independence, with implications for the future direction of the European Union (EU)-facilitated dialogue to normalize relations between Kosovo and Serbia. The United States has long supported Kosovo's political and economic development, and U.S. officials and many Members of Congress support and have closely followed the dialogue. Results Kosovo's early parliamentary election follows the unexpected resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj in July 2019. The results, while fragmented, are considered to be a victory for the two largest opposition parties. The left-wing Self-Determination (Vetevendosje) party placed first with 25.49% of votes, followed by the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) with 24.82%. Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti has begun coalition talks with LDK's Vjosa Osmani, who led the party's election list. A Vetevendosje-LDK government would hold a slim majority of the National Assembly's 120 seats (results are not yet finalized). Analysts assess that corruption and economic conditions were among key voter concerns. The outgoing governing parties, often referred to as the war wing because their leaders battled against Serbian forces during the 1990s-era independence campaign, have long held sway in politics. Given their long tenure in office, many critics associate them with endemic government corruption and nepotism. High unemployment (about 30% overall and 50% among youth) and poverty also fueled voter dissatisfaction. Vetevendosje has never been in national government. The party grew out of a street movement critical of Kosovo's ruling political factions and the international community's administration of Kosovo following the retreat of Serbian forces in 1999. The party at times has been criticized for using violent tactics, taking an uncompromising position on negotiations with Serbia, and advocating Kosovo's eventual unification with neighboring Albania (a majority of Kosovo's population is ethnic Albanian). Vet~vendosje's supporters-and Kurti himself-contend that the party has since moderated and is prepared to lead a Congressional Research Service https://crsreports.congress.gov IN11180 CRS INSIGHT Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress

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