Kosovo heading for deadlock after poll

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PRISTINA, Dec 13 (AFP): Kosovo faced political gridlock on Monday with both the main parties claiming victory in the territory's first election since its declaration of independence in 2008.
Exit polls by two independent non-governmental organisations put Prime Minister Hashim Thaci's party ahead, but well short of an overall majority that would enable him to avoid negotiating a coalition government.
The main opposition Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) meanwhile claimed it was in the lead, based on its own tally.
First official results are expected late Monday. But even if Thaci's Democratic Party of Kosovo (PKD) remains the largest party, he will find it difficult to find coalition partners, according to analyst Kernar Gashi.
"The very fact that the three main parties that can be considered for coalition are against a coalition with Thaci shows that he lost the elections politically," said Gashi, of the Kosovo Institute for Policy Research and Development, an independent NGO.
"Victory for Hashim Thaci's party is not enough to create a strong governing majority," the Kosova Sot daily said, which added that a strong governing coalition needed partners of equal strength.
Thaci had already proclaimed victory within hours of the polls closing on Sunday.
"Victory is ours!" he told his supporters at a rally Sunday night. He hailed the vote as an endorsement of the PDK's "good governance" and said Kosovo had voted for a European future.
PDK supporters poured into the streets of Pristina late Sunday in celebration and vehicles plastered in Thaci posters honked their horns.
Rival LDK supporters also turned out to celebrate and the two groups had to be kept apart by police.
LDK leader and Pristina mayor Isa Mustafa called on his supporters to remain calm while the votes were being counted.
The opposition has complained about irregularities in Sunday's poll.
Newspapers reported a 95 percent turnout in Thaci's stronghold region of Drenica.
Koha Ditore newspaper said the vote was "questionable".
"As the PDK declares victory and its fans celebrate across Kosovo, other parties claim it has stolen the vote..."
"If these irregularities are proven it will be possible to contest the whole election process," it said.