Kosovo’s 2025 parliamentary elections took place in a climate marked by deep political, ethnic, and socioeconomic tensions. While the process was largely peaceful, the underlying issues of minority rights, state legitimacy, and economic hardship were never far from the surface. For organizations focused on human rights and state policy, these elections provide a critical case study in the challenges facing post-conflict societies striving for democracy and inclusion.
Political Landscape and Election Outcomes
Vetëvendosje’s Plurality and the Shifting Balance of Power
The election results reflected both continuity and change in Kosovo’s political landscape. Prime Minister Albin Kurti’s Vetëvendosje (VV) party won the largest share of votes—42.3% and 48 seats in the 120-member Assembly—but this was a significant drop from their previous landslide. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) gained 20.95% and 24 seats, while the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) secured 18.27% and 20 seats. The Serb List, representing the Serbian minority, won 4.26% and 9 seats, losing one of its reserved seats for the first time as the more cooperative For Freedom, Justice, and Survival party entered the Assembly.
The need for coalition-building was immediately apparent. With no party holding a majority, the stage was set for complex negotiations. Bedri Hamza, leader of the PDK, announced his intention to “form a cabinet uniting all opposition parties,” highlighting the fragmented nature of Kosovo’s politics and the enduring influence of parties with roots in the Kosovo Liberation Army.
Voter Turnout and Electoral Conduct
Voter turnout was notably low at 41% (or 46.5% of registered voters), underscoring widespread disillusionment with the political process. The release of results was delayed due to technical failures in the election commission’s website, fueling conspiracy theories but not undermining the overall credibility of the process. The European Union Election Observation Mission described the elections as “peaceful, competitive, and generally well-conducted, but marred by poor organization, harsh rhetoric, and undue pressure on voters in Serb-majority areas by Serbia and the Srpska Lista party.”
Progress in Gender Representation
A positive outcome was the election of 44 women to the Assembly, exceeding the 30% quota and maintaining progress on gender representation. This achievement stands out in a region where women’s political participation often lags behind.
Ethnic Tensions and Minority Rights
The Situation in Northern Kosovo
Since November 2022, Serbs in northern Kosovo have boycotted Kosovar institutions, including elections. This allowed Kurti’s government to install three ethnic Albanian mayors and one Bosniak mayor in the four predominantly Serb municipalities north of the Ibar River. The aftermath of the Banjska attack further legitimized the regular presence of Kosovar special police units in the area, leading to isolated incidents with the local community and accusations of heavy-handedness by the authorities.
Prime Minister Kurti has justified these actions, stating he is
“restoring the rule of law and pushing out long-established criminal networks into Serbia.”
However, civil society activists and some opposition politicians in Prishtina, as well as Kosovar Serbs, have deplored what they describe as “heavy-handed tactics, particularly alleged harassment by the police.” These divergent perspectives underscore the persistent mistrust between communities and the central government.
The EU and the United States have repeatedly criticized Kosovo’s use of force and unilateral measures in northern municipalities, urging restraint and dialogue. Kurti, however, has maintained a defiant stance, emphasizing sovereignty and the need to assert state authority.
For the first time, the Serbian List lost one of its ten reserved seats, with the For Freedom, Justice, and Survival party—regarded as more open to cooperation with Kosovo’s institutions—gaining a seat. This shift signals a potential, albeit modest, opening for more constructive minority engagement, but also underscores the continuing volatility of ethnic politics.
Socioeconomic Challenges and Human Rights
Persistent Poverty and Youth Emigration
Kosovo remains one of Europe’s poorest countries, with the slowest poverty reduction rate in the region and the highest prosperity gap in the Western Balkans. Economic growth has not translated into improved living standards for most citizens, and public services such as healthcare and education remain weak.
Unemployment among youth is particularly acute, with about 33% of young people jobless, the highest rate in Europe. This economic stagnation has fueled a significant wave of emigration, with many young Kosovars seeking opportunities in Germany, Switzerland, and elsewhere in the EU.
As one young journalist, Besarta Jashari, put it,
“Here, the lack of jobs and the low wages mean that people are forced to emigrate… the health care system also has to be improved because many people here are forced to travel abroad for treatment. And, finally, I would also like to see more opportunities for girls and young women.”
Her words reflect a broader sense of frustration and resignation among Kosovo’s youth.
Corruption and weak public institutions continue to undermine trust in the state. Many voters expressed skepticism about the ability of any party to deliver meaningful change. Eraldin Fazliu, a political editor at KTV, summarized the mood:
“Young people don’t even try to find a job here. They migrate to Germany, Switzerland and the rest of the EU.”
The Role of State Policy and International Actors
Kurti’s government has taken a series of controversial steps, including a ban on the use of the Serbian dinar and restrictions on financial transfers from Serbia to Kosovo’s Serb minority. These measures have heightened tensions and drawn criticism from the US, EU, and NATO, who fear a revival of inter-ethnic conflict and a further setback to normalization efforts.
The EU and US have urged Kosovo’s government to refrain from unilateral actions and called for renewed dialogue with Serbia. At the same time, they have criticized Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić for failing to fulfill commitments under EU-brokered agreements. This dynamic reflects the broader challenge of balancing domestic political imperatives with international expectations and obligations.
Kosovo’s heavy reliance on international aid remains a critical vulnerability. According to the World Bank,
“without international donations, Kosovo will not be sustainable at all.”
This dependence limits the government’s policy options and exposes the country to external pressures.
Election Integrity and Democratic Standards
Electoral Conduct and Observations
The 2025 elections were generally peaceful and positively evaluated in terms of adherence to democratic standards, distinguishing Kosovo from some of its neighbors. However, the process was marred by organizational shortcomings, harsh rhetoric, and reports of undue pressure on voters in Serb-majority areas.
The European Union Election Observation Mission noted that
“the election process was peaceful and vibrant despite deep divisions in the country, which were reflected in verbal attacks by some of the candidates.”
This assessment highlights both the progress made and the challenges that remain in consolidating democracy in Kosovo.
Representation and Inclusion
Women’s representation in the Assembly remains a bright spot, with 44 seats secured, exceeding the legal quota and maintaining progress on gender equality. However, the broader picture is one of political fragmentation and limited trust in institutions.
Civil Society and Grassroots Perspectives
Civil society activists in northern Kosovo and opposition politicians in Prishtina have voiced concerns about both the actions of the central government and the influence of Belgrade-backed actors. Many in the Serb community feel caught between competing pressures, facing both “alleged harassment by the police” and “undue pressure by Serbia and the Srpska Lista party.”
At the same time, there is a growing recognition among some minority representatives of the need to engage more constructively with Kosovo’s institutions, as evidenced by the electoral breakthrough of the For Freedom, Justice, and Survival party.
Human Rights and State Policy at a Crossroads
Kosovo’s 2025 election season has laid bare the persistent challenges facing the country: ethnic divisions, economic hardship, political fragmentation, and fragile institutions. While the electoral process itself was largely peaceful and competitive, the underlying tensions remain unresolved.
Prime Minister Kurti’s assertion that he is “restoring the rule of law and pushing out long-established criminal networks into Serbia” reflects a determination to assert state authority, but also risks deepening mistrust among minorities and drawing criticism from international partners. Civil society voices and international observers have highlighted the need for more inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance.
The path forward will require sustained efforts to address socioeconomic disparities, protect minority rights, and rebuild trust in state institutions. For policymakers, civil society, and international actors, Kosovo’s experience offers important lessons on the interplay between elections, human rights, and the long-term prospects for peace and stability in divided societies.