Kosovo's statehood faces first test at local polls

Kosovo went to the polls on Sunday for the first time since declaring independence from Serbia last year, with parties pledging to tackle unemployment, corruption, poor infrastructure and weak foreign investment.
Facing a key democratic test, Kosovo's leaders have urged citizens to vote peacefully after violent incidents marred the last week of campaigning, including the stoning of the prime minister's car and an attack on a mayoral candidate.
Few expect the winners of the local elections to change the 40 percent unemployment rate and create jobs for 30,000 young people who enter the job market every year. Many of them continue to leave the country to find work abroad.