Political subjects running in Kosovo’s local elections have been able to declare a win in 17 communes, but the 21 remaining communes will have to go to runoffs and settle on results after the second round of voting, seeing that candidates weren’t able to succeed in achieving the necessary 50% + 1 threshold prescribed by the majoritarian system.

According to preliminary results, which include 99.8 % of ballots, the ruling party – the Self-Determination Movement (LVV) – hasn’t been able to win the city halls of any communes in Kosovo, but it will head to a runoff in 12 of them.

In addition, the Serbian List won in a total of 9 communes in the country: Leposaviq, Zubin Potok, Zveçan, North Mitrovica, Gracanice, Novoberd, Shterpc, Ranillug and Partesh.

Democratic Party of Kosovo won 5, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo won 3 and the Democratic League of Kosovo won 2. Meanwhile the ruling majority, Vetevendosje has not been able to establish a clear victory in any of the municipalities during the first round.

Runoffs will be held in the following communes:

Prishtina – Arben Vitia from Vetevendosje and Perparim Rama from Democratic League of Kosovo

Prizren – Mytaher Haskuka from Vetevendosje and Shaqir Totaj from the Democratic Party of Kosovo

Gjakova – Ardian Gjini from the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo and Mimoza Kusari from Vetevendosje

Gjilan – Lutfi Haziri from the Democratic League of Kosovo and Alban Hyseni from Vetevendosje

Main municipalities where the winner has been declared:

Peja – Gazmend Muhaxheri from the Democratic League has secured over 60% of the votes

Ferizaj – Agim Aliu from the Democratic Party is leading with over 62%

South Mitrovica – Bedri Hamza from the Democratic Party is in the lead with 54%

Hani i Elezit– Mehmet Ballazi from PDK was able to beat the previous mayor, independent candidate, Rufki Suma

Lipjan– Won by LDK’s candidate, Imri Ahmeti

Suharekë-  Won by AAK’s candiadate, Bali Muharremaj

Deçan- Won by candidate, AAK’s candidate, Bashkim Ramosaj.

Skënderaj: Democratic Party of Kosovo with candidate Fadil Nuka

Kaçanik: PDK’s candidate, Besim Iliazi took the lead in this commune.

List of communes wining in the first round: Deçan (AAK), Mitrovica e Jugut (PDK), Leposaviq (Lista Serbe), Lipjan (LDK), Novobërda (Serbian List), Peja (LDK), Shtërpca (Lista Serbe), Suhareka (AAK), Ferizaji (PDK), Zubin Potoku (Serbian List), Zveçani (Serbian List), Hani i Elezit (PDK), Graçanica (Serbian List), Ranillugu (Serbian List), Parteshi (Serbian List), dhe Mitrovica e Veriut (Serbian List), Skenderaj (PDK).

List of communes heading to runoffs: Gjakova (AAK-LVV), Gjilani (LVV-LDK), Dragashi (PDK-LDK), Klina (AAK-PDK), Kamenica (PSD-LVV), Podujeva (LVV-LDK), Prishtina (LVV-LDK), Prizreni (LVV-PDK), Vitija (LDK-LVV), Vushtrria (PDK-LDK), Malisheva (Nisma-PDK), Juniku (AAK-LDK) dhe Mamusha (KDTP-KATP), Gllogovc (PDK-DD), Kllokot (Lista Serbe-GI SNS), Istog (LDK-AAK), Shtime (PDK-LVV), Rahovec (AAK-LVV), Fushë Kosova (LDK-LVV), Obiliqi (IQO-LVV) dhe Kaçanik (PDK-LVV).