Kosovo president calls early parliamentary elections for June 8

PRISTINA, Kosovo – Kosovo's President Atifete Jahjaga has scheduled parliamentary elections for June 8.

The announcement Thursday comes after deputies voted Wednesday to dissolve the assembly, meaning elections had to take place within 45 days.

The early vote has been called after deadlock in Parliament on a number of issues, including creation of Kosovo's armed forces. That was opposed by the Serb deputies, who sought more guarantees for their minority.

Officials have expressed hope the early vote will bring more stability to the ethnically tense and economically impoverished state.

Plans to form Kosovo's military are also opposed by Serbia, which has rejected Kosovo's 2008 declaration of independence.

Kosovo split from Serbia after a 1998-99 war. More than 100 countries have recognized its statehood.