Kurti’s party wins 53 seats but falls short of majority

Kosovo’s ruling party has won 53 seats after diaspora votes were counted, leaving it eight short of a majority in parliament.

Vetëvendosje, led by caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti, needs 61 votes to form a government.

The Democratic League of Kosovo lost one seat and now has 18.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo remains on 22, while the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo has seven.

Kosovo must now form a new parliament and government after the 7 June election.

A new president will also need cross-party support, with at least 80 MPs required to take part in the first two rounds of voting.