Corruption and Conflict Dominate Election in Kosovo
A former prime minister is seeking to a comeback and that might complicate already tense relations with neighboring Serbia.
Pedestrians walk past a billboard depicting Albin Kurti and Kosovo's acting President Vjosa Osmani, in Hani i Elezit, ahead of Kosovo elections.
Photographer: Armend Nimani/AFP/Getty Images
A former political prisoner who lasted just four months as Kosovo’s prime minister is eyeing a return to power in an election that could have wider geopolitical repercussions for Europe’s most unstable region.
Less than a year after he was ousted because of disagreements over how to handle the emerging coronavirus pandemic, Albin Kurti’s party is leading opinion polls before Sunday’s snap vote. His core promise is to tackle corruption, but more importantly for the outside world is a pledge to leverage American support in Kosovo’s intractable standoff with Serbia.