( Reuters ) - Polling stations opened in Kosovo on Saturday in a parliamentary election held ahead of a showdown with Serbia on the ethnic Albanian majority's demand for independence.
Whoever wins, the 1.5 million Albanians eligible to vote are sure to elect a government ready to declare an independent state. It could come within weeks of a mediators' report to the United Nations expected to say no agreement can be reached.
Prime Minister Agim Ceku, a former separatist guerrilla leader, is stepping down, and Kosovo's 6 percent Serb minority is boycotting the ballot at the demand of the Serbian government, which bitterly opposes secession.
Polling stations close at 1800 GMT.
Follow Trend on Telegram. Only most interesting and important news
