Kosovo goes to historic polls

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PRISTINA, Dec 12 (AFP): Kosovo headed to the polls Sunday for its first elections since declaring independence in 2008, which look set to weaken Prime Minister Hashim Thaci's grip on power.
The last surveys ahead of the vote showed a neck-and-neck race between Thaci's PDK at 30 percent of voting intentions, just two points ahead of its main rival the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) led by Pristina mayor Isa Mustafa.
Thaci looked relaxed in a leather jacket and slacks as he cast his vote in a elementary school in central Pristina accompanied by his wife and his young son.
"Kosovo is voting today for a European future, for visa liberalisation and (...) and integration into the European Union and the United Nations," he told the throng of journalists waiting for him.
Many in the 1.6 million strong electorate are disillusioned with the current leadership as Thaci's reputation was marred by a string of corruption scandals involving his party officials.
But voter turnout could be key. A low turnout would favour Thaci's PDK party, whose support base is in rural areas.
"Thaci will win. He should hold be given four more years and you will see he will be the best prime minister Kosovo ever had," Feriz Krasniqi, a 29-year-old street vendor in Pristina originally from Thaci's heartland region of Malisevo, told AFP.