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Kosovo: Ex-rebel commander Ramush Haradinaj set for election win | |
(35 minutes later) | |
A former rebel commander wanted by Serbia for alleged war crimes is set to win Kosovo's parliamentary election, an exit poll suggests. | |
Ramush Haradinaj, who was prime minister in 2004-5, helms a coalition led by the centre-left Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK). | |
His alliance could win 40% of the vote, Klan Kosova TV's poll says. | |
Prime Minister Isa Mustafa's coalition, led by the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), is set to get 27%. | |
Meanwhile, 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. | Mr Mustafa called the snap election last month after his government lost a confidence vote. |
A victory for Mr Haradinaj would complicate relations with Serbia, which has issued an international arrest warrant against 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. | |
About 1.9 million Kosovars were registered to cast their ballots in the third vote since independence. Nearly half a million voters live abroad. | |
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 dates | Kosovo and Serbia - key recent dates |
1991 - Start of the violent break-up of Yugoslavia | 1991 - 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 crackdown | 1996 - 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 agreement | 1999 - 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. |