Kosovo's Third Election in 18 Months amid Political Crisis

Kosovars go to the polls on Sunday in early parliamentary elections aimed at ending a protracted political crisis. No party has so far managed to form a majority capable of keeping the country stable, making this the third election in 18 months.

Europe's youngest country aspires to join the European Union but has operated without a full government for most of the past year. Parliament's failure to elect a president ultimately led to the dissolution of the legislature and the calling of fresh elections.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti's nationalist Vetevendosje movement remains the favorite. Analysts predict the party will again win the most votes but will need opposition support to secure the two-thirds majority required to elect a president.

Kurti's party won more than 51% of the vote in the last election, yet even that margin proved insufficient to agree on a presidential candidate. The repeated elections have also slowed reforms and the absorption of EU funds.

More than 900 candidates from 17 parties and three coalitions are competing for votes. Around 2.1 million eligible voters can cast a ballot, including the large Kosovo diaspora in Western Europe, which has traditionally backed Kurti's movement.

(reuters, max)