UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 30, 2025

Statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on Kosovo elections (media)
Kurti: Kosovo’s future is prosperous and firmly oriented toward EU (media)
PACE observers welcome smooth elections in Kosovo (media)
Osmani: I aim for another term as President of Kosovo (RFE)
The elections are over, it's time to move on (Kosovo 2.0)
Veliu calls for accountability for LDK’s consequent losses in elections (Nacionale)
Schieder: Due time for stable govt driving forward Kosovo’s EU integration (media)
Diaspora not decisive in LVV’s landslide win, analyst says (Kossev)
Serbian List fined with €45,000 for violating code of conduct in elections (media)
CBK: Economic growth for 2025 expected at 3.9%; inflation rate approx 3.6% (media)

Statement by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas on Kosovo elections (media)

Most news websites covered on Monday a statement by EU High Representative/Vice-President Kallas and Commissioner Kos on Kosovo parliamentary elections.

On Sunday 28 December, the people of Kosovo exercised their democratic right by casting their vote in the early parliamentary elections.

After the political stalemate following the February 2025 elections, we look forward to the swift formation of the new Assembly and Government and to continuing our engagement with the authorities. The new government should redouble its efforts on much needed EU-related reforms. The EU takes good note of the active participation of all communities and their political parties in the elections. The electoral process demonstrated a strong commitment to democratic principles.

The European Union has deployed an Expert Electoral Mission (EEM) which will remain in Kosovo to follow the post-electoral procedures.

We call upon the Parliament once formed to ratify the Growth Plan-related agreements. The Growth Plan for the Western Balkans is a time-limited instrument adopted for the period 2024-2027 and it is in Kosovo's interest that ratification takes place as soon as possible to make full use of all opportunities under the Growth Plan, for the benefit of its population.

The normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia facilitated by the EU continues to be the only way for both to achieve progress on their European paths. We expect all obligations stemming from the Agreement on the Path to Normalisation, as well as all past Dialogue agreements to be implemented without further delays or preconditions. The EU stands ready to host a High-level meeting once conditions allow.

To recall, the EU is moving forward to lift the measures on Kosovo. €216 million of financial assistance was already released following the orderly transfer of local governance after the recent local elections. We also intend to release an additional €205 million early next year.

Kurti: Kosovo’s future is prosperous and firmly oriented toward EU (media)

Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister and Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti said in a post on X that on Sunday the people of Kosovo again granted the VV a resounding mandate. “It is always an honor to earn the trust of the people, particularly when it comes after serving the first full term in the country's history. We would like to thank everyone who exercised their right to vote, as well as all those who contributed to ensuring that the electoral process was free, fair, and conducted without incident. We are grateful for the international support throughout this process, from the European Union, individual countries, and international organizations, who continue to support Kosova’s democratic progress. A special thank you to our sister parties and the broader progressive movement, as we commit to building societies where the dignity and well-being of the people are at the center. Kosova’s future is prosperous and firmly oriented toward the European Union,” Kurti said.

PACE observers welcome smooth elections in Kosovo (media)

A delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has welcomed the smooth and professional conduct of the early elections to the Assembly of Kosovo, expressing the hope that all political stakeholders will demonstrate responsibility in restoring functional institutions.

Below is the press release issued by PACE on Monday:

The 28 December vote marked the fourth electoral process in Kosovo in 2025, following the inconclusive Assembly elections in February and the two rounds of local elections in October and November 2025. These early elections were prompted by a prolonged political stalemate — including the delayed constitution of the Assembly, failure to form a government and the inability to adopt a budget — and took place within shortened electoral deadlines after a brief, low-key campaign.

Despite the polarised political climate, the PACE delegation noted that most interlocutors appreciated the campaign's softer tone, the absence of formal complaints regarding hate speech and the lack of serious incidents, which are positive developments.

The delegation noted that the elections were technically well prepared despite short deadlines and generally assessed as inclusive. However, for the fourth time this year, the Central Election Commission (CEC) rejected the certification of the main Kosovo Serb party, Srpska Lista, and their list of candidates — a decision later overturned by the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel and the Supreme Court. This recurring pattern raised concerns about the consistency and impartiality of the electoral administration regarding the certification process.

The PACE delegation, led by Yunus Emre (Türkiye, SOC), was composed of 12 members, including six parliamentarians from four political groups of the PACE and five Council of Europe member states, as well as representatives of the Venice Commission and staff. On election day, the PACE teams were deployed in Pristina and its surroundings, as well as in Ferizaj/Uroševac, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Gračanica/Graçanicë, Istog/Istok, Klinë/Klina, Leposavić/Leposaviq, Mamushë/Mamuša, Severna Mitrovica/Mitrovicë e Veriut, Mitrovicë e Jugut/Južna Mitrovica, Osojan/Osojane, Pejë/Peć, Podujevë/Podujevo, Prizren, Rahovec/Orahovac and Zllakuqan/Zlokućane.

In the limited number of polling stations observed, the delegation found that the elections were conducted smoothly and professionally, with well-trained electoral officers and a positive atmosphere prevailing in polling stations administered by officers from both majority and non-majority communities. The delegation also noted a reduction in invalid ballot papers due to improved assessment of voters’ expressed will.

However, in a number of polling stations, electoral materials were not available in languages other than Albanian. Access for disabled persons remained a challenge in many polling stations. Voters requiring assistance during the voting, including illiterate persons, was also an issue at some polling stations. These regulations should be reviewed to allow for a more inclusive approach. Regrettably, in one polling station, the electoral administration did not allow one PACE observer team to be present during the counting.

The delegation welcomed the active involvement of women in the polling stations visited. While parties fulfilled the formal gender quota requirement, further progress is needed regarding equal campaigning opportunities, media and social media exposure and realistic chances of election.

The delegation also acknowledged that the legislation is conducive to democratic elections. However, serious gaps remain, notably regarding the regulation and oversight of campaign finance. The delegation was also informed about fines deemed disproportionate, imposed for campaign speech considered inflammatory or discriminatory. This has prompted a debate on balancing the protection of freedom of expression with the need to sanction hate speech. While media coverage was seen as balanced and compliant with regulations, the delegation heard concerns regarding political sponsorship of the media and the safety of journalists.

With 2.1 million voters registered in a population of 1.5 million, the issue of inflated voter lists — stemming notably from the lack of effective deregistration mechanisms for emigrants and the absence of systematic harmonisation between census data and the civil registry — remained unaddressed in 2025. Such issues may raise concerns under international standards regarding the accuracy and credibility of voter registration and should be addressed by the authorities.

The elections were also notable for being held on a date that coincided with the return of a significant number of diaspora members for end-of-year celebrations. Some modalities allowing out-of-country voting at diplomatic premises or by postal voting were also improved.

These early elections were intended to end a political deadlock. The delegation calls on all stakeholders to demonstrate responsibility in restoring functional institutions ahead of the election of the President of Kosovo in spring 2026 by the Assembly of Kosovo, and to uphold the democratic and Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the voters. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the Venice Commission stand ready to co-operate in further improving the electoral framework and strengthening the capacities of stakeholders responsible for managing elections.

Osmani: I aim for another term as President of Kosovo (RFE)

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, in an interview with Radio Free Europe on Monday, said she is aiming for another term as President of Kosovo. She said that even if she is not re-elected she aims to continue her political engagement. “I will talk with all the Albanian parties. We will need to meet and discuss and see if they want the will of the people, which is clear, to be heard. The majority of surveys show that around 81 percent of the people want another term for me in office. We will see if the MPs want this to be materialized. If the MPs do not want this and are not willing, I will continue my political engagement,” she said.

Osmani said there would be good news early this year and that she and her team have done a great job with countries that wanted to freeze relations with Kosovo. “Serbia claimed that it had convinced over 20 countries to withdraw their recognitions of Kosovo. Those countries really made statements in the presence of Serbia. There were cases when they sent letters to the United Nations, there were also cases when sent letters to us and notifications to our allies that they were going to freeze the recognition process until the dialogue [with Serbia] is over. I have worked to convince all of them, except for one state, and I reconfirmed that in every meeting with their leaders. It was like getting new recognitions,” she argued.

The elections are over, it's time to move on (Kosovo 2.0)

Kosovo’s extraordinary Dec. 28 parliamentary elections resulted in a decisive outcome for the Vetëvendosje Movement (VV), which secured 49.30% of the popular vote and consolidated its position as Kosovo’s dominant political force.

This result marks a notable increase in their vote compared to the February elections earlier this year. VV gained roughly 34,600 more votes, effectively reviving its historic 2021 performance, when it secured 50.28% of the vote and was able to govern alone with the support of non-Serb minority parties.

Beyond the numerical gain, VV’s convincing victory could provide the stability needed to resolve the institutional deadlock that has persisted since February. With this outcome, VV is projected to secure 56 seats in the Assembly, leaving it just five votes short of a parliamentary majority. Those votes are expected to come from non-Serb minority representatives, who have already declared their support for a VV-led government following the February elections.

While VV strengthened its position, the outcome leaves the rest of the political spectrum under increasing pressure to reconsider their political approach.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) received 21.00% of the vote, a result that closely mirrors its performance in February, at 20.9%, indicating neither significant losses nor gains.

The results were less favorable for the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). The party failed to maintain its February result, dropping from 18.27 to 13.57%. This nearly five-percentage-point decline brings LDK closer to its 2021 outcome, when it recorded the weakest result in its electoral history at 12.73%. Following the election results, several LDK party members are calling for internal accountability. LDK leader Lumir Abdixhiku has also suggested that he might consider resigning.

Smaller parties have also struggled to shift the balance of power. The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), which campaigned independently, received 5.68% of the vote and is expected to narrowly pass the electoral threshold. By contrast, Nisma Socialdemokrate failed to cross the 5% threshold and will not be represented in the new legislature.

Meanwhile, Srpska Lista is leading in Serb-majority municipalities, securing 4.78% of the total vote, followed by Za Slobodu, Pravdu i Opstanak (ZLPO) with 0.54%. It remains unclear whether Srpska Lista will secure all ten seats reserved for the Serb community in the Kosovo Assembly, or whether a seat will once again go to ZLPO, as was the case in February.