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Kosovo: Weak economy the key issue in snap elections Kosovo: Weak economy the key issue in snap elections
(35 minutes later)
Voting has ended in Kosovo's snap elections called last month after Prime Minister Isa Mustafa lost a confidence vote. A coalition led by the centre-left Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) is set to come first in Kosovo's parliamentary election, an exit poll suggests.
Helmed by a former Prime Minister, Ramush Haradinaj, it is forecast to take 40% of the votes, according to Klan Kosova TV's poll.
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa's governing coalition, led by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), is set to get 27%.
Left-wing opposition party Vetevendosje (VV) is projected to get 30%.
Mr Mustafa called the snap election last month after his government lost a confidence vote.
The new government will have to tackle high unemployment, improve the economy and develop better relations with its neighbours.The new government will have to tackle high unemployment, improve the economy and develop better relations with its neighbours.
Opinion polls suggest Mr Mustafa's bloc is trailing a coalition led by a former Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj.
A victory for Mr Haradinaj would complicate relations with Serbia.A victory for Mr Haradinaj would complicate relations with Serbia.
It has issued an international arrest warrant for him for alleged war crimes.It has issued an international arrest warrant for him for alleged war crimes.
Mr Haradinaj served as a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war with Serbia in 1998 and 1999.Mr Haradinaj served as a commander of the Kosovo Liberation Army during the war with Serbia in 1998 and 1999.
He has been tried and acquitted twice at the UN tribunal at The Hague, although Serbia said it had further evidence involving civilian murders.He has been tried and acquitted twice at the UN tribunal at The Hague, although Serbia said it had further evidence involving civilian murders.
Mr Haradinaj has consistently denied the allegations, and stepped down as prime minister after just 100 days to face the charges.Mr Haradinaj has consistently denied the allegations, and stepped down as prime minister after just 100 days to face the charges.
Serbia has repeatedly warned it will defend "every inch" of what it claims as its territory in neighbouring Kosovo.Serbia has repeatedly warned it will defend "every inch" of what it claims as its territory in neighbouring Kosovo.
Historically a province of Serbia, Kosovo declared independence in 2008. It is recognised by the US and most EU countries but not by Serbia or its ally Russia.Historically a province of Serbia, Kosovo declared independence in 2008. It is recognised by the US and most EU countries but not by Serbia or its ally Russia.
About 1.9 million Kosovars were registered to vote in the third vote since independence. Nearly half a million voters live abroad.About 1.9 million Kosovars were registered to vote in the third vote since independence. Nearly half a million voters live abroad.
Kosovo profileKosovo profile
New court to try suspects of war crimes committed in Kosovo (video)New court to try suspects of war crimes committed in Kosovo (video)
One of the top priorities for any new government will be to reduce unemployment, which is running at 30%, and lower tensions with Serbia, a pre-condition for both countries before they can join the European Union.One of the top priorities for any new government will be to reduce unemployment, which is running at 30%, and lower tensions with Serbia, a pre-condition for both countries before they can join the European Union.
The West believes that the incorporation of Western Balkan countries in the EU is the most effective way of stabilising a region blighted by war throughout the 1990s.The West believes that the incorporation of Western Balkan countries in the EU is the most effective way of stabilising a region blighted by war throughout the 1990s.
Kosovo has had a constant Nato peacekeeping force since 1999.Kosovo has had a constant Nato peacekeeping force since 1999.
Kosovo and Serbia - key recent datesKosovo and Serbia - key recent dates
1991 - Start of the violent break-up of Yugoslavia1991 - Start of the violent break-up of Yugoslavia
1996 - Rebel Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) steps up attacks on Serbian authorities in Kosovo - met with a Serbian crackdown1996 - Rebel Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) steps up attacks on Serbian authorities in Kosovo - met with a Serbian crackdown
1999 - Nato bombs Serbian targets - Yugoslav and Serbian forces respond with ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Albanians but withdraw from Kosovo after a peace agreement1999 - Nato bombs Serbian targets - Yugoslav and Serbian forces respond with ethnic cleansing against Kosovo Albanians but withdraw from Kosovo after a peace agreement
2008 - Kosovo unilaterally declares independence.2008 - Kosovo unilaterally declares independence.