Albanian Coalition secures two seats in Serbia’s parliament; Kamberi: Historic achievement, in the race for a third

Albanians of the Preševo Valley will have at least two lawmakers in Serbia’s new parliament, according to preliminary results from Sunday’s snap elections. The news was announced by the leader of the “Albanian Coalition” list, Shaip Kamberi, who called the result a “historic achievement.”

Votes and the coefficient

According to preliminary results, the coalition won 27,230 votes. With the 35% increase in the electoral coefficient granted to national minorities, the calculated value reaches 36,761 votes, enough for two seats. The coalition remains in the race for a third seat. In a statement earlier in the evening, Vučić had mentioned one seat for the Albanians.

“Two seats for Albanians in the Serbian parliament, in the race for a third! Together in the elections, together in representation, together for our rights!” Kamberi wrote. He thanked the citizens of Preševo, Bujanovac and Medveđa, the parties that joined the common list, and Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti, who mediated the agreement.

From one lawmaker to two

Eight Albanian parties ran on a single list this time, number 17 on the ballot. In the 2020 elections, when they ran together, Albanians won three seats, but after a split in later elections their representation fell to one lawmaker, Kamberi.

Under the coalition agreement, the parties aim to implement a seven-point plan on representation in institutions, the economic recovery of the Valley and the official use of the Albanian language and symbols. The results remain preliminary until the final number of seats is certified by Serbia’s electoral institutions.