Kosovo held local elections on Sunday. It is the fist time Kosovars are called to vote since the declaration of independence in 2008. Even though official results have not been issued yet, parties are taking for granted results in main towns. Hashim Thaçi, Kosovo's prime minister, has claimed victory for his party, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), in most of city councils. In a public appearance right after the elections, Thaçi said his party won in 20 towns of a total of 36. President of Kosovo, Fatmir Sejdiu, has claimed victory for his party, the Democratic Union of Kosovo, in Pristina, the capital of the country.

The fact that most of international media highlighted elections were held peacefully according to standards and an eventual positive report by observers could widen Kosovo's international recognition. Prime minister said after casting his vote that Sunday's elections "confirms that our country deserves independence and to have a European perspective".

Serbian turnout has been higher than expected. Belgrade called on the Serbs from Kosovo to boycott the polls and not to legitimate Pristina's unilateral declaration of independence. Boycott hasn't been finally carried out, but participation by Serbs was low to such an extent that in Serbian towns like Štrpce and Novo Brdo Albano-Kosovar lists obtained better results than the Serbian ones, according to B92. Total turnout has been of 45%.

Further information:

• BalkanInsight.com: Kosovo Parties Claim Victories in Key Seats
• BBC: Monitors to rule on Kosovo vote
• Guardian.co.uk: Ethnic Serbs urged not to boycott Kosovo elections