Brussels – Less than two months remain until Kosovo’s parliamentary elections. On 9 February 2025, Kosovan citizens will vote to elect the 120 members of the Assembly, who will be responsible for forming the next government. To ensure “an inclusive, credible, and transparent election process” that enables voters to “clearly express their choices,” the EU will deploy an Election Observation Mission, as announced by High Representative Kaja Kallas.
In response to an invitation from Kosovan President Vjosa Osmani, the election observation mission will showcase the EU’s “resolute support” for the authorities in Pristina to “further strengthen democratic governance,” the EEAS stated. MEP Nathalie Loiseau (Renew Europe) has been appointed as Chief Observer by High Representative Kallas. “I look forward to engaging with authorities, political parties, candidates, civil society, and other electoral stakeholders,” Loiseau stated, highlighting that the 2025 electoral process will be “the first under a new electoral law, which has incorporated our previous recommendations.
Kosovo heads to the polls
The national Assembly comprises 120 representatives elected for a four-year term, with 20 seats reserved for national minorities. For the 2025 parliamentary elections, 28 political entities have submitted applications, including 20 political parties, 5 coalitions, 2 civil initiatives, and 1 independent candidate.
The governing parties—social-democratic Vetëvendosje, centre-right Guxo!, and liberal Alternativa—are once again running on a unified electoral list, led by incumbent Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
On the opposition side, mayor of South Mitrovica Bedri Hamza is the candidate for Prime Minister representing the right-wing Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). The liberal-conservative Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) and the Christian-democratic Albanian Christian Democratic Party (PSHDK) are running on a joint electoral list, with Lumir Abdixhiku as their candidate for Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, a coalition comprising the right-wing Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), the Social Democratic Initiative (NISMA), and the Conservative List of Kosovo (LKK)—called “For a Winning Kosovo”—will be led by AAK leader and former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj. The liberal New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) and the Islamic-democratic Justice Party (PD) have formed the “Family List” coalition, opposing the government’s attempts to expand LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite ongoing tensions in the north of the country, Serb List—the dominant Serb party aligned with Belgrade’s interests and currently holding all 10 seats reserved for the ethnic Serb minority in Parliament—will participate under the leadership of Zlatan Elek. Other ethnic Serb parties have also submitted candidate lists, including GI Narodna Pravda, Serbian Democracy, the Party of Kosovo Serbs, and the For Freedom, Justice, and Survival party, led by current Minister for Communities and Returns Nenad Rašić.
