Events

Kosovo’s Elections: A Political Earthquake?

On February 14, Kosovo held national parliamentary elections after not one, but two governments fell in 2020. Please join the International Republican Institute and the Atlantic Council for a discussion on the results of the February 14 parliamentary elections, and what this tells us about Kosovo’s current political dynamics as well as the country’s future outlook as a subject of European and American diplomatic efforts.

Virtual Event February 23, 2021 11:30am – 12:30pm

Overview.

On February 14, Kosovo held national parliamentary elections after not one, but two governments fell in 2020. This year’s elections took place not only during a period of incredible political turmoil in the country, but also in the midst of an international pandemic, and as the future of economic normalization with neighboring Serbia remains uncertain. The initial results indicate Self-Determination Movement (LVV) has won a landslide victory and may end up with an outright majority in the parliament. Meanwhile, the previously governing Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) saw its vote share shrink to a distant third. The lopsided electoral results and a certain change in government provokes several questions. What will LVV’s priorities be as a governing party? How will the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) and LDK reform in their opposition roles? How will LVV approach the Washington Agreement and the EU-facilitated dialogue with Serbia? What predictions can we make about the upcoming local elections in light of these results? What could the electoral results mean for an upcoming presidential election by parliament? Finally, what do these electoral results say about the priorities and interests of Kosovo’s citizens?

Please join the International Republican Institute and the Atlantic Council for a discussion featuring Ambassador Daniel Fried, Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow at the Atlantic Council; Albert Krasniqi, Program Director of Democracy Plus and Marta Onorato, Kosovo Resident Program Director at the International Republican Institute, on the results of the February 14 parliamentary elections, and what this tells us about Kosovo’s current political dynamics as well as the country’s future outlook as a subject of European and American diplomatic efforts. Paul McCarthy, IRI’s Europe Regional Director, will moderate the discussion.