The United States on Tuesday (May 30) slammed Kosovo for forcibly trying to install ethnic Albanian mayors in the towns of Kosovo. The move, vehemently opposed by local ethnic Serbs, who make majority in these towns and had boycotted the elections, led to clashes with NATO soldiers. About 30 soldiers were injured. The election to choose the mayors, boycotted by Serbs had seen a paltry voter turnout of 3.5 per cent. Serbs here do not see ethnic Albanian mayors to be their real representatives.

The US expelled Kosovo from an ongoing US-led military exercise in Europe. US Ambassador in Kosovan capital Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier made the announcement.

"For Kosovo, this exercise is over," Hovenier said in comments to local media in Pristina.

US is the among the biggest international backers of Kosovo and had supported its independence from Serbia in 2008. The expulsion from military exercise is being seen as the first US step to indicate Kosovo that all is&nbsp;not well in the current scenario.

The US ambassador also threatened Kosovo with an unprecedented move to end diplomatic support and stop international lobbying for recognition of the Balkan nation.

Serbia's allies, Russia and China have refused to recognise Kosovo so far. This had kept the nation from having a seat at the United Nations.

"You don’t find a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the United States to respond to Kosovo’s other interests, such as engaging in non-recognisers or working actively to advance Kosovo’s European or Euro-Atlantic trajectory," Hovenier said.

The US ambassador added that "the actions taken by the government of Kosovo...have created this crisis atmosphere in the north".

"We have asked prime minister Kurti very directly to take immediate steps to achieve de-escalation in the north. He has not been responsive to those requests," Hovenier said.

<h2>The clashes</h2>

Kosovan government, on Monday sought to install the ethnic Albanian mayors using police force. The clashes&nbsp;erupted soon. NATO troops had to intervene and control the crowd using shields and baton. Molotov cocktails were hurled at the NATO troops.&nbsp;

A total of 30 peacekeepers — 11 Italians and 19 Hungarians — were wounded in the clashes, according to a KFOR press release.

Among the protesters, 52 were injured, three of them "seriously", while five Serbs were arrested for taking part in the clashes. &nbsp;

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The United States on Tuesday (May 30) slammed Kosovo for forcibly trying to install ethnic Albanian mayors in the towns of Kosovo. The move, vehemently opposed by local ethnic Serbs, who make majority in these towns and had boycotted the elections, led to clashes with NATO soldiers.

The United States on Tuesday (May 30) slammed Kosovo for forcibly trying to install ethnic Albanian mayors in the towns of Kosovo. The move, vehemently opposed by local ethnic Serbs, who make majority in these towns and had boycotted the elections, led to clashes with NATO soldiers. About 30 soldiers were injured. The election to choose the mayors, boycotted by Serbs had seen a paltry voter turnout of 3.5 per cent. Serbs here do not see ethnic Albanian mayors to be their real representatives. The US expelled Kosovo from an ongoing US-led military exercise in Europe. US Ambassador in Kosovan capital Pristina, Jeffrey Hovenier made the announcement. "For Kosovo, this exercise is over," Hovenier said in comments to local media in Pristina. US is the among the biggest international backers of Kosovo and had supported its independence from Serbia in 2008. The expulsion from military exercise is being seen as the first US step to indicate Kosovo that all is not well in the current scenario. The US ambassador also threatened Kosovo with an unprecedented move to end diplomatic support and stop international lobbying for recognition of the Balkan nation. Serbia's allies, Russia and China have refused to recognise Kosovo so far. This had kept the nation from having a seat at the United Nations. "You don’t find a lot of enthusiasm on the part of the United States to respond to Kosovo’s other interests, such as engaging in non-recognisers or working actively to advance Kosovo’s European or Euro-Atlantic trajectory," Hovenier said. The US ambassador added that "the actions taken by the government of Kosovo...have created this crisis atmosphere in the north". "We have asked prime minister Kurti very directly to take immediate steps to achieve de-escalation in the north. He has not been responsive to those requests," Hovenier said. The clashes Kosovan government, on Monday sought to install the ethnic Albanian mayors using police force. The clashes erupted soon. NATO troops had to intervene and control the crowd using shields and baton. Molotov cocktails were hurled at the NATO troops. A total of 30 peacekeepers — 11 Italians and 19 Hungarians — were wounded in the clashes, according to a KFOR press release. Among the protesters, 52 were injured, three of them "seriously", while five Serbs were arrested for taking part in the clashes. WATCH WION LIVE HERE × You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US expels Kosovo from military exercises after ethnic Serb clashes leave NATO troops injured

Former Kosovo prime minister Albin Kurti's anti establishment party is now all set to win election with a landslide victory. Exist poll gives victory to left wing party.

Albin Kurti coalition scores largest margin of support

Kosovo heads to the polls Sunday in a vote pitting a left-wing reformist party against traditional elites who have run the former Serbian province for the past decade.

Here are the main players vying to win Kosovo's fifth election since its 2008 independence.&nbsp;

Reformers

Pollsters are betting on a victory for the left-wing nationalist party Vetevendosje (VV) of Albin Kurti, a reformist promising to root out corruption.

Particularly popular among young people and known for highly organised protests, VV won the last elections in 2019 by a single seat.

The party was forced to unite with the centre-right LDK, an alliance that crumbled after about 50 days, ejecting Kurti from power.

During his brief term at the helm, he started work on overhauling the structure of public companies, which NGOs say are hotbeds of graft and embezzlement.

The 45-year-old first made his name as a student activist in the 1990s, organising protests against the Serbian regime's repression of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority.

The activism landed Kurti in a Serbian jail for two years when he was in his 20s.&nbsp;

After Kosovo broke away from Serbia in the 1998-99 war, Kurti became a leading critic of both local leaders and the international community's outsized influence.

His VV movement -- whose name means "self-determination" -- became known for sometimes violent protests while MPs resorted to radical antics such as unleashing tear gas in parliament.

Kurti himself is banned from putting his name on the ballot because of an 18-month suspended prison sentence in 2018 for the tear gas incident.&nbsp;

It does not, however, prevent him from being chosen as PM if his party wins.

Leaderless rebels

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) founded by former war heroes from the 1990 conflict with Serbian forces has been the dominant political player in Kosovo since it declared independence in 2008.

But the party will now run without its top two leaders, both held in The Hague where they face trials on war crimes charges linked to the 1998-99 conflict.&nbsp;

Former president Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's most powerful politician and the ex-political chief of the rebel forces, and his right-hand-man Kadri Veseli have been jailed in the Netherlands since November.

The party is now led by former foreign minister Enver Hoxhaj, 52, who until now worked in the shadows of the former commanders.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Outgoing centrists

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) of outgoing Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti heads into the elections without its most popular member.

Vjosa Osmani, a 38-year-old law professor and the acting president, has decided to join Kurti's camp.

The party was founded by the late Ibrahim Rugova, known as the "father of the nation" for leading the peaceful resistance of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians against Belgrade's repression.

The party won every vote after the 1998-99 war until Rugova's death in 2006.

Since then, while the LDK has not won any electoral victories, it has been a key coalition partner, making and breaking ruling alliances.&nbsp;

In March last year it brought down the government it formed with Vetevendosje by passing a motion of no confidence.

The party faced criticism for that move after they struck a new alliance with parties its supporters had voted against.

Hoti, a 45-year-old professor of economics, is running again for PM — but the party's leader Isa Mustafa is believed to pull the strings.

Serbs

Kosovo's Serb minority, estimated to number around 120,000, is guaranteed 10 seats in the 120-member assembly.

The scene is dominated by the Srpska Lista, a party closely aligned with Belgrade, which still considers Kosovo a renegade territory.&nbsp;

The Serbs have sometimes played the role of kingmaker, as in 2017 with the coalition government formed by Ramush Haradinaj, another former commander, elected by their votes.&nbsp;

Another 10 seats are reserved in parliament for other minorities such as the Roma.&nbsp;

Kosovo heads to the polls Sunday in a vote pitting a left-wing reformist party against traditional elites who have run the former Serbian province for the past decade.

Kosovo heads to the polls Sunday in a vote pitting a left-wing reformist party against traditional elites who have run the former Serbian province for the past decade. Here are the main players vying to win Kosovo's fifth election since its 2008 independence. Reformers Pollsters are betting on a victory for the left-wing nationalist party Vetevendosje (VV) of Albin Kurti, a reformist promising to root out corruption. Particularly popular among young people and known for highly organised protests, VV won the last elections in 2019 by a single seat. The party was forced to unite with the centre-right LDK, an alliance that crumbled after about 50 days, ejecting Kurti from power. During his brief term at the helm, he started work on overhauling the structure of public companies, which NGOs say are hotbeds of graft and embezzlement. The 45-year-old first made his name as a student activist in the 1990s, organising protests against the Serbian regime's repression of Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority. The activism landed Kurti in a Serbian jail for two years when he was in his 20s. After Kosovo broke away from Serbia in the 1998-99 war, Kurti became a leading critic of both local leaders and the international community's outsized influence. His VV movement -- whose name means "self-determination" -- became known for sometimes violent protests while MPs resorted to radical antics such as unleashing tear gas in parliament. Kurti himself is banned from putting his name on the ballot because of an 18-month suspended prison sentence in 2018 for the tear gas incident. It does not, however, prevent him from being chosen as PM if his party wins. Leaderless rebels The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) founded by former war heroes from the 1990 conflict with Serbian forces has been the dominant political player in Kosovo since it declared independence in 2008. But the party will now run without its top two leaders, both held in The Hague where they face trials on war crimes charges linked to the 1998-99 conflict. Former president Hashim Thaci, Kosovo's most powerful politician and the ex-political chief of the rebel forces, and his right-hand-man Kadri Veseli have been jailed in the Netherlands since November. The party is now led by former foreign minister Enver Hoxhaj, 52, who until now worked in the shadows of the former commanders. Outgoing centrists The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) of outgoing Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti heads into the elections without its most popular member. Vjosa Osmani, a 38-year-old law professor and the acting president, has decided to join Kurti's camp. The party was founded by the late Ibrahim Rugova, known as the "father of the nation" for leading the peaceful resistance of Kosovo's ethnic Albanians against Belgrade's repression. The party won every vote after the 1998-99 war until Rugova's death in 2006. Since then, while the LDK has not won any electoral victories, it has been a key coalition partner, making and breaking ruling alliances. In March last year it brought down the government it formed with Vetevendosje by passing a motion of no confidence. The party faced criticism for that move after they struck a new alliance with parties its supporters had voted against. Hoti, a 45-year-old professor of economics, is running again for PM — but the party's leader Isa Mustafa is believed to pull the strings. Serbs Kosovo's Serb minority, estimated to number around 120,000, is guaranteed 10 seats in the 120-member assembly. The scene is dominated by the Srpska Lista, a party closely aligned with Belgrade, which still considers Kosovo a renegade territory. The Serbs have sometimes played the role of kingmaker, as in 2017 with the coalition government formed by Ramush Haradinaj, another former commander, elected by their votes. Another 10 seats are reserved in parliament for other minorities such as the Roma.

Kosovo poll contenders: Reformers vs leaderless rebels

Kosovars began voting on Sunday in a parliamentary election that an anti-establishment party is expected to win, further complicating Western efforts to resolve the country`s decades-long territorial dispute with Serbia.

Opinion polls suggest the Vetevendosje party will win 45% to 55% of the vote among ethnic Albanians, who make up 90% of Kosovo`s 1.9 million population. While that would be nearly double its result in a 2019 election, the party may still need a partner to govern.

Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, who served as prime minister for five months last year, has won support on pledges to fight widespread corruption and on a stance that there should be no compromise in a dialogue with Serbia, which lost control over Kosovo in 1999 after NATO bombed its forces.

"Kosovo as an independent state, this Sunday, is returning to its people as the source of sovereignty," Kurti told reporters after casting his ballot. "We should vote with love for the country"

The state election commission said turnout by 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) was 8.3%, one percentage point lower than in the last election in 2019, mainly due to freezing temperatures.

If Vetevendosje does not secure a majority of 61 seats it may have to join forces with either the now-ruling Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), or the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) or Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK).

"There are a lot of challenges ahead of us, we have the issue with Serbia, the pandemic situation and strengthening the state," Ramush Haradinaj, whose AAK is seen as a potential kingmaker, said after casting his ballot.

Serbia, backed by Russia, does not recognise Kosovo`s independence, citing the need to protect the rights of its Serb minority. Negotiators from the European Union and the United States have failed to secure a compromise to allow

Kosovo to join international bodies such as the United Nations and NATO.

With one third of its workforce unemployed and a gross domestic product per capita of $4,300, Kosovo remains the poorest country in the Western Balkan region. 
"People want jobs, we want to get rid of corruption," said Luljeta Emini after she cast her ballot in Pristina. 
Polling stations will close at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT), and the first official results are expected a few hours later.

Kosovars began voting on Sunday in a parliamentary election that an anti-establishment party is expected to win, further complicating Western efforts to resolve the country`s decades-long territorial dispute with Serbia.

Kosovars began voting on Sunday in a parliamentary election that an anti-establishment party is expected to win, further complicating Western efforts to resolve the country`s decades-long territorial dispute with Serbia. Opinion polls suggest the Vetevendosje party will win 45% to 55% of the vote among ethnic Albanians, who make up 90% of Kosovo`s 1.9 million population. While that would be nearly double its result in a 2019 election, the party may still need a partner to govern. Vetevendosje leader Albin Kurti, who served as prime minister for five months last year, has won support on pledges to fight widespread corruption and on a stance that there should be no compromise in a dialogue with Serbia, which lost control over Kosovo in 1999 after NATO bombed its forces. "Kosovo as an independent state, this Sunday, is returning to its people as the source of sovereignty," Kurti told reporters after casting his ballot. "We should vote with love for the country" The state election commission said turnout by 11 a.m. (1000 GMT) was 8.3%, one percentage point lower than in the last election in 2019, mainly due to freezing temperatures. If Vetevendosje does not secure a majority of 61 seats it may have to join forces with either the now-ruling Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), or the opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) or Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK). "There are a lot of challenges ahead of us, we have the issue with Serbia, the pandemic situation and strengthening the state," Ramush Haradinaj, whose AAK is seen as a potential kingmaker, said after casting his ballot. Serbia, backed by Russia, does not recognise Kosovo`s independence, citing the need to protect the rights of its Serb minority. Negotiators from the European Union and the United States have failed to secure a compromise to allow Kosovo to join international bodies such as the United Nations and NATO. With one third of its workforce unemployed and a gross domestic product per capita of $4,300, Kosovo remains the poorest country in the Western Balkan region. "People want jobs, we want to get rid of corruption," said Luljeta Emini after she cast her ballot in Pristina. Polling stations will close at 7 p.m. (1800 GMT), and the first official results are expected a few hours later.

Kosovo votes in election that could complicate dialogue with Serbia

Voting centres opened in Kosovo on Sunday for national elections where the main issues for the country's 1.9 million eligible voters are tackling corruption and a peace deal with Serbia which would pave the way for United Nations membership.

The elections, the fourth since Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008, were called after Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj resigned in July when he was summoned to appear before a war crimes court.

Haradinaj has been questioned over his role in the 1998-99 war as one of the commanders of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) who fought for independence from Serbia.

"Voting was very easy but let’s see what our votes will bring,” said taxi driver Avdi Morina, 46, after voting in a sport hall in the capital Pristina.

"We want well-being and jobs for young people,” retired doctor Muharrem Bajrami said after casting his vote in the capital.

Opinion polls have pointed to public dissatisfaction with Haradinaj's record at the head of a three-party governing coalition which has boosted support for opposition parties.

Two of those parties, the Democratic League for Kosovo (LDK) and the nationalist, left-leaning Vetevendosje, are seen as front runners in Sunday's vote, along with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the largest party in the current coalition.

Arton Demhasaj, from the Cohu (Wake up) think tank in Pristina said the first task of the new government would be to restart negotiations with Serbia.

"The next government will be the government of the dialogue, from the first day to the last day, and only when the dialogue is over then we will have to deal with real issues such as corruption, education and the economy," Demhasaj told Reuters.

Negotiations were halted a year ago when the outgoing government imposed 100% tariffs on goods produced in Serbia. Most, but not all, of the parties contesting the polls have said that they will abolish the tariffs but will introduce other retaliatory measures against Serbia.

The United States and the European Union see tensions between Belgrade and Pristina as a major threat to regional stability and are pushing for a normalisation of relations.

On Thursday, US President Donald Trump appointed Richard Grenell, the straight-talking US ambassador to Germany, as special envoy to try to inject new energy into the talks between Belgrade and Pristina.

Twenty years after NATO bombing expelled Serbian forces, Belgrade refuses to recognise Kosovo as independent and, in concert with its ally Russia, has blocked Pristina's membership of international organisations including the United Nations.

In 2013, Pristina and Belgrade agreed to an EU-mediated dialogue to normalise ties but little progress has been made.

Last year, Kosovan President Hashim Thaci and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic signalled that they might agree to a land swap but they faced strong opposition to the idea domestically and abroad.

In Kosovo, all three parties LDK, Vetevendosje and PDK said the land swap was not acceptable.

EUROPE'S YOUNGEST POPULATION

Kosovo has Europe's youngest population, with an average age of 29, and has seen annual economic growth averaging 4% over the past decade, but it remains poor. Since Pristina won independence from Belgrade in 2008, more than 200,000 Kosovars have emigrated and applied for asylum in the European Union.

"It hurts me when I see young, educated people from Kosovo coming to Germany because they don't see a better future here," said Skender Nekaj, 44, who came from Germany to Kosovo to vote together with seven other family members.

The public sector is the biggest employer in the country but job applicants typically need political connections or to pay a bribe to find a job.

The European Union says corruption is "widespread" and Transparency International ranks Kosovo as a very corrupt country.

"If you have money you can buy justice here, if you have money you can buy health because you go to a private clinic. I don't have money. My vote is the only thing I have," said Qendrim Agushi, 32, a construction worker who earns 13 euros a day.

The election will be overseen by more than 34,000 monitors including 100 from the European Union.

Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT). Preliminary official results are expected by midnight (2200 GMT).

Voting centres opened in Kosovo on Sunday for national elections where the main issues for the country's 1.9 million eligible voters are tackling corruption and a peace deal with Serbia which would pave the way for United Nations membership.

Voting centres opened in Kosovo on Sunday for national elections where the main issues for the country's 1.9 million eligible voters are tackling corruption and a peace deal with Serbia which would pave the way for United Nations membership. The elections, the fourth since Kosovo's declaration of independence in 2008, were called after Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj resigned in July when he was summoned to appear before a war crimes court. Haradinaj has been questioned over his role in the 1998-99 war as one of the commanders of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) who fought for independence from Serbia. "Voting was very easy but let’s see what our votes will bring,” said taxi driver Avdi Morina, 46, after voting in a sport hall in the capital Pristina. "We want well-being and jobs for young people,” retired doctor Muharrem Bajrami said after casting his vote in the capital. Opinion polls have pointed to public dissatisfaction with Haradinaj's record at the head of a three-party governing coalition which has boosted support for opposition parties. Two of those parties, the Democratic League for Kosovo (LDK) and the nationalist, left-leaning Vetevendosje, are seen as front runners in Sunday's vote, along with the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the largest party in the current coalition. Arton Demhasaj, from the Cohu (Wake up) think tank in Pristina said the first task of the new government would be to restart negotiations with Serbia. "The next government will be the government of the dialogue, from the first day to the last day, and only when the dialogue is over then we will have to deal with real issues such as corruption, education and the economy," Demhasaj told Reuters. Negotiations were halted a year ago when the outgoing government imposed 100% tariffs on goods produced in Serbia. Most, but not all, of the parties contesting the polls have said that they will abolish the tariffs but will introduce other retaliatory measures against Serbia. The United States and the European Union see tensions between Belgrade and Pristina as a major threat to regional stability and are pushing for a normalisation of relations. On Thursday, US President Donald Trump appointed Richard Grenell, the straight-talking US ambassador to Germany, as special envoy to try to inject new energy into the talks between Belgrade and Pristina. Twenty years after NATO bombing expelled Serbian forces, Belgrade refuses to recognise Kosovo as independent and, in concert with its ally Russia, has blocked Pristina's membership of international organisations including the United Nations. In 2013, Pristina and Belgrade agreed to an EU-mediated dialogue to normalise ties but little progress has been made. Last year, Kosovan President Hashim Thaci and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic signalled that they might agree to a land swap but they faced strong opposition to the idea domestically and abroad. In Kosovo, all three parties LDK, Vetevendosje and PDK said the land swap was not acceptable. EUROPE'S YOUNGEST POPULATION Kosovo has Europe's youngest population, with an average age of 29, and has seen annual economic growth averaging 4% over the past decade, but it remains poor. Since Pristina won independence from Belgrade in 2008, more than 200,000 Kosovars have emigrated and applied for asylum in the European Union. "It hurts me when I see young, educated people from Kosovo coming to Germany because they don't see a better future here," said Skender Nekaj, 44, who came from Germany to Kosovo to vote together with seven other family members. The public sector is the biggest employer in the country but job applicants typically need political connections or to pay a bribe to find a job. The European Union says corruption is "widespread" and Transparency International ranks Kosovo as a very corrupt country. "If you have money you can buy justice here, if you have money you can buy health because you go to a private clinic. I don't have money. My vote is the only thing I have," said Qendrim Agushi, 32, a construction worker who earns 13 euros a day. The election will be overseen by more than 34,000 monitors including 100 from the European Union. Polls open at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and close at 7 p.m. (1700 GMT). Preliminary official results are expected by midnight (2200 GMT).

Kosovo voters focus on graft, Serbia peace deal in election

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US expels Kosovo from military exercises after ethnic Serb clashes leave NATO troops injured

Albin Kurti coalition scores largest margin of support

Kosovo poll contenders: Reformers vs leaderless rebels

Kosovo votes in election that could complicate dialogue with Serbia

Kosovo voters focus on graft, Serbia peace deal in election