Ruling Democratic Party headed by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci claimed victory in the local elections on November 15.

“We all have risen above party and ethnic flags, uniting around the flag of Kosovo state in order to win, and we have won,” Irishtimes.com website quoted Thaci.

These are the first local elections since Kosovo independence on September 17, 2008.

November 17, U.S. welcomed the elections in Kosovo.

“The United States commends the Government of Kosovo on successfully administering its first elections since independence. We congratulate the citizens from all of Kosovo’s ethnic communities, including the new Kosovo Serb-majority municipalities, on their significant participation in these polls to elect their local government representatives. These elections represent a significant milestone for Kosovo in building a multiethnic, democratic society for all of its citizens,” reads the statement by Department Spokesman Ian Kelly.