The tiny Balkan province of Kosovo on Sunday, held the first parliamentary elections since its controversial declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008.
Kosovo’s government has failed to form a governing parliamentary coalition since September when former President Fatmir Sejdiu stepped down following a decision by the constitutional court that it was illegal for him to hold the offices of both president and leader of his political party.
The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), led by Kosovo Prime Minister Hashim Thaci is favored to win the elections. PDK is expected to beat Sejdiu’s party, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK). Both parties are the main leading groups in Parliament.
Voter turnout was about 60 percent of 1.6 million eligible voters, according to Balkans news source, BalkanInsight.
Some polling stations in the Serbian dominated north were virtually empty as Serbs, some of whom refuse to recognize the government, boycotted the elections, according to Voice of America.
So far 71 countries have recognized Kosovo’s independence, and it is a member of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank. The United Nations-led International Court of Justice said in July that Kosovo’s independence did not violate international law.
Free and democratic parliamentary elections will also impact on Kosovo’s bid to join the European Union and NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
