Kosovo government missed chance to improve ties with Serbian community, says expert

Political leaders in Kosovo bear the responsibility for resolving the nation's political stalemate, and voters should hold them accountable if they fail to achieve consensus, according to Professor Edward P. Joseph of Johns Hopkins University.

Joseph stated that while Prime Minister Albin Kurti holds the largest share of responsibility due to his parliamentary majority, the onus is on all leaders. "If political leaders – and I repeat, I am speaking in the plural, I am not saying that only Prime Minister Albin Kurti has responsibility – do not find consensus, then voters should punish all political leaders who have failed to do so, because it harms the country," Joseph said in an interview with Ekonomia Online.

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If political leaders – and I repeat, I am speaking in the plural, I am not saying that only Prime Minister Albin Kurti has responsibility – do not find consensus, then voters should punish all political leaders who have failed to do so, because it harms the country.

He also pointed out that the Kosovo government missed a significant opportunity in its approach to the Serbian community. Joseph suggested that the government could have used this moment to tell Serbs in Kosovo, "Your capital is Pristina. Pristina cares about you. Belgrade does not care about you." He believes this chance was not taken.

Joseph distinguished between Kosovo's stability and its democratic development. He asserted that Kosovo remains a stable country and a stable democracy, supporting its potential NATO membership. However, he described the current political deadlock as detrimental to democratic development, calling it a "very bad example." He noted that this is not a typical parliamentary blockade, as one party holds a clear majority.

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Your capital is Pristina. Pristina cares about you. Belgrade does not care about you. That opportunity was missed.