(Bloomberg) -- Kosovo’s opposition parties won an early general election, signaling a turn away from politicians who rose to prominence as guerrilla fighters against neighboring Serbia in the 1990s.
With a shared legacy of war holding up European Union membership for both sides, Sunday’s ballot marked a defeat for outgoing Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, who resigned in July to face interrogation by a war crimes tribunal. He had campaigned on a 100% import tax he imposed on Serbian products last year in retaliation for Serbia’s lobbying against Kosovo joining international organizations.
The leftist Self-Determination Movement led by Albin Kurti, and the center-right Democratic League of Kosovo, led former premier, Isa Mustafa, took 26% and 25% of the vote respectively, according to almost complete results. Shortly after the results were out, Kurti said early Monday that the two parties may form a coalition government, local media reported.
Parliament Speaker Kadri Veseli’s party was headed for third place with 21% and a Haradinaj-led coalition was at 12%.
The two opposition parties that won most votes have been critical of Haradinaj’s policies. Even so, all major groups in predominantly ethnic Albanian-populated Kosovo demand unconditional recognition of independence from Serbia and reject concessions such as a land swap floated last year by the presidents of Serbia and Kosovo.
EU-mediated talks to normalize relations stalled in 2018. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said late Sunday that his country was ready to resume the negotiations with whomever forms a new government in Kosovo, on condition that the trade barrier is lifted.
Kosovo seceded from Serbia in 2008 and is seeking full international recognition as an independent state and a lasting peace deal with its neighbor as both Balkan nations seek to advance toward EU membership.
Serbia vows never to recognize Kosovo as a country, a stance backed by Russia and China in international organizations. Kosovo’s independence is recognized by more than 100 other countries, including the U.S. and all but five EU states.
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