On Monday 12 June, European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn urged the swift formation of a government in Kosovo. Early elections were held in the country the previous day.
"It is the responsibility of the political leaders to form a new government – very swiftly, we hope", he said at a press conference. He also said he hoped that this would not take nine months, as was the case previously – although he said he understood that it would not be easy, given the results. From 70% of the votes counted, the 'coalition of warriors', united behind President Hashim Thaçi's Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), has reportedly won around 36% of the votes, ahead of Vetëvendosje (nationalist Left) (nearly 27% of the votes) and the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK, centre Right) (around 25%).
Hahn stated that it was important for the country to remain committed to the reforms, to use what was obtained last year – be it the stabilisation and association agreement or the reform agenda – and to implement the criteria that have not yet been fulfilled for visa-liberalisation. He said the people of Kosovo were in favour of the country's European prospects, and that it was "crucial" for the country and its representatives to remain committed to this path.
Hahn added that the electoral mission's report was due to be published on Tuesday 13 June. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)