Kosovo needs a “third republic,” but not one declared in the Assembly with 120 MPs. Instead, it should be a “renewed, reborn republic that breathes according to the ideals of the Albanian national revivalists,” outgoing Prime Minister Albin Kurti said on Sunday at a meeting of the Vetëvendosje (Self-Determination) General Council in Pristina.
The session opened with the Albanian national anthem, underscoring the symbolic tone of Kurti’s address, which coincided with the 25th anniversary of the so-called Kacanik Constitution.
From the Kacanik Constitution to Independence
The Kacanik Constitution was adopted on September 7, 1990, by the then-unrecognized Assembly of Kosovo, declaring Kosovo—at that time an autonomous province of Serbia within Yugoslavia—a “sovereign Republic of Kosovo.” Only Albania recognized it, while Serbian authorities dismissed it as illegal and separatist.
Kurti acknowledged this limited recognition, arguing that the “first republic,” one of “resistance, peaceful and armed,” culminated in what he called “the just war of the Kosovo Liberation Army, NATO’s legitimate intervention, and Kosovo’s liberation from Serbia in June 1999.”
The “second republic,” according to Kurti, was proclaimed in February 2008, when Kosovo declared independence. “That republic opened the way to development and international subjectivity,” he said, citing recognition by 119 countries, the establishment of diplomatic relations, and membership in various international organizations.
The “Third Republic”
For Kurti, Kosovo must now move toward a “third republic.” This would not be another act of declaration, but rather a transformation:“A renewed republic, reborn, breathing the progressive ideals of Albanian revivalists; a republic whose heart and mind are directed toward democracy and progress, with geopolitical goals focused on Euro-Atlantic integration—toward EU and NATO membership.”
He described this envisioned “republic” as one of social equality and rule of law, an economy based on production, services and trade, a stronger army for the security of Kosovo and its allies, and a modernized health and education system.
Kurti added that the armed forces would be strengthened in coordination with the Republic of Albania.
Ultimately, he said, this “third republic” should be:
“For everyone, for every citizen, majority and minority alike. Without harm or threat to anyone, but for the good, security, and well-being of all.”
Vetëvendosje and the Idea of Unification
Kurti’s political movement, Vetëvendosje, was originally founded on the ideology of “unifying Albanian lands”—primarily the territory of Kosovo and Albania. The idea of national unification, though less prominent during his premiership, has remained part of his rhetoric.
In March 2021, shortly before taking office, Kurti argued for a referendum law that could eventually allow constitutional changes enabling unification with Albania. “Kosovo and Albania as two states of the same nation can integrate and unite,” he said at the time.
Symbols of “Greater Albania,” including maps featuring Kosovo alongside parts of Serbia, North Macedonia, Greece, and Montenegro, have appeared at Vetëvendosje rallies and during election campaigns.
Other Kosovo leaders have voiced similar positions: in 2023, Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca referred to unification as a “long-term concept,” and Minister Liburn Aliu described Kosovo as a “temporary project” on the way to merging with Albania. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has also said he would vote for unification in a referendum, though without setting a timeline.
International Reactions
The idea of unification has repeatedly drawn criticism from the international community. The United States has consistently rejected concepts of both “Greater Albania” and “Greater Serbia.”
In 2021, then-U.S. Ambassador Philip Kosnett warned that American soldiers had not died for such projects. Former U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Hovenier reiterated in 2023 that Washington does not support these ideas.
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