The four candidates running for Prime Minister of Kosovo have called on citizens to vote in the parliamentary elections to decide who will lead the country for the next four years, reports RFE.
Albin Kurti, the candidate from the Self-Determination Movement (LVV), cast his vote at the Faculty of Economics and urged citizens to vote so their voices can be heard.
“Use the opportunity of freedom to decide for the next four years,” said Kurti.
Bedri Hamza, candidate from the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), voted in South Mitrovica. He shared a message emphasizing that today the citizens decide.
“For me, every result chosen by the citizens of Kosovo is acceptable. I am optimistic. It has been a long campaign, but I am happy that we maintained positivity throughout,” he stated.
Lumir Abdixhiku, candidate from the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), called February 9th a day for democracy, where citizens’ votes will decide their future and the future of the Republic of Kosovo for the next four years.
Ramush Haradinaj, candidate from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK)-NISMA-Conservatives coalition, after voting in Pristina, urged all citizens to exercise their right to vote.
These are the first regular parliamentary elections held in Kosovo since its declaration of independence in 2008. Over 2 million citizens, both within Kosovo and abroad, have the right to vote.
In this election, 28 political entities and one independent candidate are competing. Voters can select a political entity and up to ten candidates for parliament.
These elections will determine a new parliamentary composition of 120 MPs, who will later choose the new executive. The elections are being monitored by local and international observers, following postal votes by citizens in the diaspora and voting in Kosovo’s diplomatic missions across 19 countries, which was organized for the first time on February 8th.
