# 2009 Kosovan local elections

Local elections were held in Kosovo on 15 November and 13 December 2009. These were the first local elections to be held after Kosovo declared independence in February 2008. The elections were to elect mayors and municipal councils in 36 municipalities, and were contested by 37 ethnic Albanian parties and 21 Serbian lists. All citizens with a valid ID were able to vote in the elections.
Pieter Feith, the European Union Special Representative in Kosovo, declared before the election that he expected the elections to "pass the democratic test".
The elections were still unfinished two months after starting. Many cities recounted votes or ordered fresh voting.
Prizren and Lipjan held their elections on 31 January 2009.
These elections resulted in Democratic Party of Kosovo control over the majority of local positions.

## Results
### Gjakova District
#### Gjakova

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Pal Lekaj (incumbent) | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 21,861 | 51.92 |
| | Mimoza Kusari Lila | New Kosovo Alliance | 17,463 | 41.48 |
| | Fehmi Vula | Democratic League of Kosovo | 1,937 | 4.60 |
| | Ilir Bytyqi | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 787 | 1.87 |
| | Shahin Roka | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 54 | 0.13 |
| Total | Total | Total | 42,102 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 11,215 | 29.01 | 12 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 7,205 | 18.64 | 7 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 4,719 | 12.21 | 5 |
| | Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo | 3,655 | 9.45 | 4 |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 2,688 | 6.95 | 3 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 2,536 | 6.56 | 3 |
| | ORA | 2,105 | 5.45 | 2 |
| | New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo | 940 | 2.43 | 1 |
| | Democratic Christian Party for Integration | 925 | 2.39 | 1 |
| | Justice Party | 775 | 2.00 | 1 |
| | Movement for Integration and Unification | 684 | 1.77 | 1 |
| | Liberal Party of Kosovo | 585 | 1.51 | 1 |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 366 | 0.95 | – |
| | National Front | 203 | 0.53 | – |
| | Democratic Ashkali Party of Kosovo | 51 | 0.13 | – |
| | Montenegrin Democratic Party | 6 | 0.02 | – |
| Total | Total | 38,658 | 100.00 | 41 |
| Source: |||||

#### Deçan

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Rasim Selmanaj | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 9,899 | 67.82 |
| | Mehmet Bojkaj | Democratic League of Kosovo | 2,727 | 18.68 |
| | Musë Mushkolaj | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 890 | 6.10 |
| | Ismet Hulaj | Democratic League of Dardania | 554 | 3.80 |
| | Tahir Kuçi | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 526 | 3.60 |
| Total | Total | Total | 14,596 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 7,697 | 57.70 | 16 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 2,620 | 19.64 | 5 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 1,215 | 9.11 | 2 |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 1,097 | 8.22 | 2 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 368 | 2.76 | 1 |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 267 | 2.00 | 1 |
| | National Front | 60 | 0.45 | – |
| | People's Montenegrin Party of Kosovo | 9 | 0.07 | – |
| | Montenegrin Democratic Party | 6 | 0.04 | – |
| Total | Total | 13,339 | 100.00 | 27 |
| Source: |||||

#### Junik

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Agron Kuçi | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 1,109 | 49.64 | 1,268 | 56.76 |
| | Tahir Isufaj (incumbent) | Democratic League of Kosovo | 730 | 32.68 | 966 | 43.24 |
| | Shpejtim Gacaferi | Democratic League of Dardania | 239 | 10.70 | | |
| | Niman Tofaj | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 133 | 5.95 | | |
| | Ali Kasumi | New Kosovo Alliance | 23 | 1.03 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 2,234 | 100.00 | 2,234 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 892 | 43.49 | 7 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 708 | 34.52 | 5 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 242 | 11.80 | 2 |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 170 | 8.29 | 1 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 39 | 1.90 | – |
| Total | Total | 2,051 | 100.00 | 15 |
| Source: |||||

#### Rahovec

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Qazim Qeska (incumbent) | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 7,398 | 36.00 | 10,205 | 50.63 |
| | Ibrahim Kryeziu | Democratic League of Kosovo | 4,694 | 22.84 | 9,950 | 49.37 |
| | Islam Gashi | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 3,867 | 18.82 | | |
| | Rexhep Oruqi | New Kosovo Alliance | 2,800 | 13.62 | | |
| | Salih Hoti | Movement for Integration and Unification | 1,680 | 8.17 | | |
| | Lulzim Krasniqi | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 112 | 0.54 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 20,551 | 100.00 | 20,155 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Qazim Qeska resigned as mayor in mid-2010. He later attempted to return to the position but was prevented from doing so by a court decision. A new mayoral election took place over two rounds on 21 November and 19 December.
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 5,989 | 31.26 | 10 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 4,344 | 22.67 | 8 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 3,105 | 16.21 | 5 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 2,321 | 12.11 | 4 |
| | Movement for Integration and Unification | 1,408 | 7.35 | 2 |
| | Justice Party | 686 | 3.58 | 1 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 641 | 3.35 | – |
| | Independent Liberal Party | 157 | 0.82 | – |
| | Liberal Party of Kosovo | 131 | 0.68 | – |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 110 | 0.57 | – |
| | ORA | 103 | 0.54 | – |
| | Civic Initiative "Orahovac – V.Hoća" | 91 | 0.47 | – |
| | New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo | 73 | 0.38 | – |
| Total | Total | 19,159 | 100.00 | 30 |
| Source: |||||

### Mitrovica District
#### Mitrovica

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Avni Kastrati | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 11,137 | 39.17 | 10,999 | 53.12 |
| | Nexhmedin Spahiu | New Kosovo Alliance | 6,417 | 22.57 | 9,708 | 46.88 |
| | Mursel Ibrahimi | Democratic League of Kosovo | 5,556 | 19.54 | | |
| | Hysni Ahmeti | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 4,678 | 16.46 | | |
| | Luljeta Zhubi | ORA | 316 | 1.11 | | |
| | Rexhep Ahmeti | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 122 | 0.43 | | |
| | Vesel Neziri | Albanian Republican Party | 110 | 0.39 | | |
| | Milazim Xhafa | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 93 | 0.33 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 28,429 | 100.00 | 20,707 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 8,570 | 33.51 | 14 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 5,369 | 20.99 | 9 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 4,117 | 16.10 | 7 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 3,538 | 13.83 | 6 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 1,413 | 5.52 | 2 |
| | Justice Party | 885 | 3.46 | 1 |
| | ORA | 747 | 2.92 | 1 |
| | Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo | 373 | 1.46 | 1 |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 203 | 0.79 | – |
| | Albanian Republican Party | 187 | 0.73 | – |
| | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 135 | 0.53 | – |
| | National Front | 40 | 0.16 | – |
| Total | Total | 25,577 | 100.00 | 41 |
| Source: |||||

#### Skenderaj

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Sami Lushtaku (incumbent) | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 25,017 | 85.02 |
| | Fadil Geci | Democratic League of Dardania | 3,171 | 10.78 |
| | Rushit Haliti | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 528 | 1.79 |
| | Abit Haziraj | Green Party of Kosovo | 390 | 1.33 |
| | Liridon Hoti | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 318 | 1.08 |
| Total | Total | Total | 29,424 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 22,587 | 79.27 | 26 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 2,959 | 10.39 | 3 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 941 | 3.30 | 1 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 518 | 1.82 | 1 |
| | Green Party of Kosovo | 363 | 1.27 | – |
| | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 357 | 1.25 | – |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 350 | 1.23 | – |
| | Justice Party | 247 | 0.87 | – |
| | Movement for Integration and Unification | 141 | 0.49 | – |
| | Liberal Party of Kosovo | 30 | 0.11 | – |
| Total | Total | 28,493 | 100.00 | 31 |
| Source: |||||

#### Vushtrri

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Bajram Mulaku (incumbent) | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 12,552 | 48.96 | 12,331 | 62.78 |
| | Muharrem Shabani | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 6,777 | 26.43 | 7,312 | 37.22 |
| | Ibush Jonuzi | Democratic League of Kosovo | 5,020 | 19.58 | | |
| | Halil Kuqi | Democratic League of Dardania | 1,141 | 4.45 | | |
| | Emine Qerkezi | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 147 | 0.57 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 25,637 | 100.00 | 19,643 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 9,485 | 40.27 | 15 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 4,844 | 20.57 | 7 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 4,486 | 19.05 | 7 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 1,292 | 5.49 | 2 |
| | Movement for Unification | 937 | 3.98 | 1 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 909 | 3.86 | 1 |
| | Justice Party | 631 | 2.68 | 1 |
| | Turkish Democratic Party of Kosovo | 429 | 1.82 | 1 |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 159 | 0.68 | – |
| | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 151 | 0.64 | – |
| | Movement for Integration and Unification | 116 | 0.49 | – |
| | National Front | 84 | 0.36 | – |
| | Serb People's Party | 16 | 0.07 | – |
| | Independent Liberal Party | 14 | 0.06 | – |
| Total | Total | 23,553 | 100.00 | 35 |
| Source: |||||

#### Unrecognized results in predominantly Serb municipalities

The Serb community in northern Kosovo generally boycotted the 2009 local elections. Although elections were formally held and results certified for Leposavić, Zubin Potok, and Zvečan, the turnouts were extremely low, the outcomes were not recognized internationally or in the communities in question, and the winning candidates never took power.

##### Leposavić

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Ardita Hasani | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 34 | 100.00 |
| Total | Total | Total | 34 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Vakat Coalition | 80 | 70.80 | 6 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 30 | 26.55 | 2 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 3 | 2.65 | 1 |
| Total | Total | 113 | 100.00 | 9 |
| Source: |||||
Note: The nine candidates who were formally elected were the only candidates on the ballot. There were nineteen seats in the assembly.

##### Zubin Potok

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Naser Ferizi | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 233 | 53.32 |
| | Fatmir Kahrimani | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 204 | 46.68 |
| | Goran Radivojević | Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo and Metohija | 0 | 0.00 |
| Total | Total | Total | 437 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 250 | 53.65 | 16 |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 205 | 43.99 | 1 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 11 | 2.36 | 2 |
| Total | Total | 466 | 100.00 | 19 |
| Source: |||||
Note: There was only one candidate on the Democratic Party of Kosovo's list.

##### Zvečan

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % |
| | Semi Kelmendi | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 33 | 100.00 |
| | Dragan Stojković | Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo and Metohija | 0 | 0.00 |
| Total | Total | Total | 33 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 36 | 100.00 | 2 |
| | Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo and Metohija | 0 | 0.00 | – |
| Total | Total | 36 | 100.00 | 2 |
| Source: |||||
Note: There were only two candidates on the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo's list. There were nineteen seats in the assembly.

### Peja District
#### Peja

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Ali Berisha (incumbent) | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 16,051 | 43.68 | 15,061 | 76.80 |
| | Elmi Berisha | Democratic League of Dardania | 5,845 | 15.91 | 4,549 | 23.20 |
| | Ilhami Gashi | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 5,152 | 14.02 | | |
| | Agim Bërdyna | Democratic League of Kosovo | 4,668 | 12.70 | | |
| | Gazmend Muhaxheri | ORA | 3,628 | 9.87 | | |
| | Adem Gorani | Justice Party | 801 | 2.18 | | |
| | Ramiz Libusha | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 600 | 1.63 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 36,745 | 100.00 | 19,610 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 10,874 | 31.84 | 13 |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 4,926 | 14.42 | 6 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 4,813 | 14.09 | 6 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 3,555 | 10.41 | 4 |
| | ORA | 2,708 | 7.93 | 3 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 1,801 | 5.27 | 2 |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 1,431 | 4.19 | 2 |
| | Party of Democratic Action | 808 | 2.37 | 1 |
| | Party of Democratic Change | 687 | 2.01 | 1 |
| | Justice Party | 561 | 1.64 | 1 |
| | Vakat Coalition | 514 | 1.51 | 1 |
| | New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo | 490 | 1.43 | 1 |
| | Democratic Christian Party for Integration | 351 | 1.03 | – |
| | Sabahudin Ciriković | 319 | 0.93 | – |
| | United Roma Party of Kosovo | 123 | 0.36 | – |
| | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 101 | 0.30 | – |
| | Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo | 68 | 0.20 | – |
| | Montenegrin Democratic Party | 22 | 0.06 | – |
| Total | Total | 34,152 | 100.00 | 41 |
| Source: |||||

#### Istog

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Fadil Ferati (incumbent) | Democratic League of Kosovo | 7,839 | 47.47 | 7,088 | 70.65 |
| | Naim Imeraj | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 3,553 | 21.52 | 2,945 | 29.35 |
| | Idriz Blakaj | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 2,864 | 17.34 | | |
| | Rifat Osmanaj | Democratic League of Dardania | 1,992 | 12.06 | | |
| | Gojart Lubeniqi | New Democracy of Kosovo | 165 | 1.00 | | |
| | Afrim Sadikaj | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 100 | 0.61 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 16,513 | 100.00 | 10,033 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Fadil Ferati died on 30 January 2010, and a new mayoral election was held over two rounds on 11 April and 9 May. Haki Rugova of the Democratic League of Kosovo served as acting mayor pending the new election.
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 5,734 | 37.22 | 11 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 3,418 | 22.19 | 6 |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 2,535 | 16.45 | 5 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 1,696 | 11.01 | 3 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 512 | 3.32 | 1 |
| | New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo | 310 | 2.01 | 1 |
| | Party of Democratic Action | 221 | 1.43 | – |
| | Vakat Coalition | 219 | 1.42 | – |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 204 | 1.32 | – |
| | Justice Party | 191 | 1.24 | – |
| | Liberal Party of Kosovo | 176 | 1.14 | – |
| | New Democracy of Kosovo | 117 | 0.76 | – |
| | Party of Democratic Change | 72 | 0.47 | – |
| | Serbian Democratic Party of Kosovo and Metohija | 1 | 0.01 | – |
| Total | Total | 15,406 | 100.00 | 27 |
| Source: |||||

#### Klina

Mayoral results :
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | First round | First round | Second round | Second round |
| Candidate | Candidate | Party | Votes | % | Votes | % |
| | Sokol Bashota (incumbent) | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 6,332 | 36.77 | 9,631 | 57.10 |
| | Enver Berisha | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 5,490 | 31.88 | 7,235 | 42.90 |
| | Fadil Gashi | Democratic League of Kosovo | 3,802 | 22.08 | | |
| | Zenun Zeqa | Democratic League of Dardania | 728 | 4.23 | | |
| | Pjetër Coli | Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo | 479 | 2.78 | | |
| | Haki Morina | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 160 | 0.93 | | |
| | Ibish Rraci | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 128 | 0.74 | | |
| | Adem Gashi | Adem Haxhi Gashi | 101 | 0.59 | | |
| Total | Total | Total | 17,220 | 100.00 | 16,866 | 100.00 |
| Source: |||||||
Municipal assembly results :
| Party | Party | Votes | % | Seats |
| | Democratic Party of Kosovo | 5,115 | 32.27 | 9 |
| | Alliance for the Future of Kosovo | 4,912 | 30.99 | 9 |
| | Democratic League of Kosovo | 3,388 | 21.38 | 6 |
| | Democratic League of Dardania | 1,120 | 7.07 | 2 |
| | Albanian Christian Democratic Party of Kosovo | 320 | 2.02 | 1 |
| | New Kosovo Alliance | 279 | 1.76 | – |
| | Social Democratic Party of Kosovo | 276 | 1.74 | – |
| | Democratic Christian Party for Integration | 207 | 1.31 | – |
| | Socialist Party of Kosovo | 101 | 0.64 | – |
| | New Democratic Initiative of Kosovo | 82 | 0.52 | – |
| | Adem Haxhi Gashi | 38 | 0.24 | – |
| | Liberal Party of Kosovo | 12 | 0.08 | – |
| Total | Total | 15,850 | 100.00 | 27 |
| Source: |||||