Kosovo set for February parliamentary election

Kosovan President Fatmir Sejdiu announces his resignation, 27 September

Fatmir Sejdiu resigned on 27 September

Kosovo's caretaker president, Jakup Krasniqi, has called an early parliamentary election for 13 February.

The vote is meant to resolve a crisis caused by the surprise resignation of President Fatmir Sejdiu last month.

Mr Sejdiu stepped down after a court ruling that he had breached the constitution by remaining the leader of a political party.

The vote will be the first general election since Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

The decision is likely to delay for many months EU-sponsored talks with Serbia, which does not recognise Kosovo as an independent country.

The caretaker president said the negotiations could not take place in the current political atmosphere.