Kosovo Votes

The election campaign in Kosovo has been dominated by the subject of province's future status. With a trio of diplomatic envoys from the European Union, the United States and Russia facing a Dec. 10 deadline to come up with a plan for the province, the Kosovar Albanian parties have become increasingly vocal in their calls for independence.

Members of Kosovo's ethnic Serb minority, estimated to total about 120,000, are not expected to cast their ballots at the weekend. The Serbian government has recommended they boycott the vote, saying that taking part would be tantamount to recognizing the province's independence, which Belgrade opposes.

Ex-rebel tipped to be next prime minister

Former Kosovo Liberation Army leader, Hashim Thaci is tipped to become the next prime minister. Serbia accuses him of being a terrorist because of his rebel activities. Current Prime Minister Agim Ceku is not running for re-election.

The latest polls give his Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) a narrow lead over the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), the party formerly led by Ibrahim Rugova, seen by many as the "father of the nation." He died in 2006 just before talks on Kosovo's future were set to begin. Analysts said they believe the vote will lead to a coalition between the two parties.

With the protracted talks on Kosovo's future status having made little apparent progress, ethnic Albanian politicians are threatening to declare independence unilaterally. Polls have shown well over 90 percent of the Kosovar Albanian population is in favor of taking this step.

Russia has remained Serbia's ally in the dispute by blocking a proposal for Kosovo's independence in the United Nations Security Council, where Moscow holds veto powers. But Kosovo's 2 million Albanians are counting on the United States and Europe to recognize Kosovo as an independent state, should it declare independence.

Whatever the outcome of the election, the UN's three Kosovo mediators are scheduled to hold more talks in Brussels on the province on Tuesday.

Economic problems played second fiddle

In Kosovo, domestic problems, such as the 60 percent unemployment rate, the lack of direct investment and high levels of corruption, were tied to the issue of independence in the campaign. Politicians argued that the problems could be better tackled once the province had formally split from Serbia.

But political observer Dusan Reljic, from the Berlin-based German Institute for International and Security Affairs, told Reuters that ethnic Albanians -- despite their support for independence -- have little faith in their government at least when it comes to fighting corruption.

Surveys show only 14 percent of the population said they were happy with their political leadership and 70 percent said they were discontented.

The population of Kosovo is estimated at around 1.9 to 2.2 million. Some 4 percent are ethnic Serbs. Ten of the 120 seats in the Kosovar parliament are reserved for the Serb minority.