KOSOVO ELECTIONS: PDK WINS MORE MAYORSHIPS, BUT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 PRISTINA 000813

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/11/2017
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM EAID KDEM UNMIK KV
SUBJECT: KOSOVO ELECTIONS: PDK WINS MORE MAYORSHIPS, BUT
LDK TAKES PRISTINA


Classified By: COM TINA KAIDANOW FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D)


1. (C) SUMMARY: According to preliminary results issued
December 9 by the OSCE, Hashim Thaci's PDK party won 14 of
the 23 municipalities up for grabs in the December 8 mayoral
run-offs in Kosovo. President Sejdiu's LDK party won 6 --
including Pristina -- while Ramush Haradinaj's AAK party won

3. Though conditional and mail-in ballots still need to be
counted, our sources say they are unlikely to affect the
outcome of any municipality, with the possible exception of
Obilic. From assessments by our 7 USOP observer teams and
discussions with OSCE, Central Election Commission officials
and others, the vote went off well and was conducted in a
peaceful atmosphere. However, the 32 percent turnout was
even lower than in the first round, and virtually no Kosovo
Serbs voted. Winning Pristina by a large margin (nearly 59
percent) has given the LDK party, the overall biggest loser
in these elections, a much-needed shot in the arm as formal
coalition talks begin with the PDK on forming a new
government. END SUMMARY.

PDK Wins again in peaceful, smooth process


2. (SBU) On December 9, OSCE issued preliminary results for
the December 8 mayoral run-offs in 23 municipalities that
gave Hashim Thaci's PDK party the largest number of
positions, 14. President Sejdiu's LDK party followed with
six, including Pristina, and Ramush Haradinaj's AAK
consolidated its power base in western Kosovo by winning the
mayorships of Decan, Peja and Gjakova. (Note: Preliminary
results do not include conditional and mail-in ballots, but
our sources say this is unlikely to affect the outcome in any
municipality, with the possible exception of the tight
PDK-LDK race in Obilic. End Note.)


3. (SBU) Overall, assessments from our 7 USOP observer
teams and discussions with OSCE, Central Election Commission
(CEC) officials and others indicated a smooth process
conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. Unlike the first round
on November 17, voters this time had a simple choice between
two candidates to make, rather than the complicated
three-election ballot given to them. Turnout at 32 percent,
however, was even lower than in the first round, and
virtually no Kosovo Serbs voted in the southern enclaves,
even though OSCE mobile election units were available in Serb
villages located in Albanian-majority municipalities. (Note:
There were no run-offs in the three northern Serb-majority
municipalities, nor in Novo Brdo or Strpce, two
municipalities with large Serb populations. These were dealt
with separately by executive decision of the SRSG. End Note.)

Highlights


4. (SBU) Some highlights of the mayoral races include LDK
deputy chairman Eqrem Kryeziu losing his bid for re-election
as mayor of Prizren by a fairly large margin to PDK
challenger Ramadan Muja (55 to 45 percent),while LDK Culture
Minister Astrit Haraqija was beaten handily in his hometown
of Gjakova by PDK challenger, Pal Lekaj (56 to 43 percent).
On the PDK side, up-and-comer MP Enver Hoxhaj lost big in
Sukareka to the LDK candidate.

LDK at least wins Pristina


5. (SBU) In what appeared to be a closely-fought battle for
Pristina, LDK candidate and respected economist Isa Mustafa
had no difficulty with PDK deputy chairman Fatmir Limaj,
winning 59 to 41 percent. Another PDK deputy chairman,
Hajredin Kuci, told us that Limaj had phoned Mustafa to
congratulate him on his victory. At a celebration in
Pristina on election night, PDK chairman Thaci addressed the
party faithful with the popular Limaj at his side, and the
crowds chanted "Limaj for President" and "No coalition with
the LDK." (Note: In the Kosovo Assembly vote on November 17,
Limaj was the second top vote-getter after Thaci, beating
even President Sejdiu in overall number of votes. End Note.)

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6. (C) COMMENT: Overall, these mayoral run-offs were another
PDK victory, yet the big win in Pristina gives the LDK a
much-needed shot in the arm as all eyes now turn to the
beginning of formal coalition talks led by the PDK. Given
the demands of the final status process, we will continue to
urge the PM-designate, Hashim Thaci, to conclude these talks
quickly and establish a government as soon as possible. END
COMMENT.
KAIDANOW