The recent deal by which Serbia has agreed to abolish entrance/exit documents for citizens with Kosovo ID cards, with Kosovo agreeing not to introduce them for Serbian ID holders is being hailed by both Belgrade and Pristina authorities as a success. On the other hand, the opposition on both sides harshly criticizes it. But what do citizens say about this agreement?
Based on the results of the online polls KoSSev posted on its social networks, the largest number of respondents say that they do not welcome the agreement because it is not beneficial to both sides, while only a small number of them declared they support it precisely because it is beneficial for both Serbs and Albanians. On the other hand, when asked „What do you think about the latest agreement in Brussels and do you know what was agreed?“ – the largest number of users shared a negative view of the agreement, criticizing the Serbian government. Furthermore, they describe the agreement as „treason“ and „violation of the Constitution“.
On Saturday evening – the very same day it was announced from Brussels that an agreement on the documents had been reached, the KoSSev portal published polls on its social networks: „Do you welcome the agreement just reached in Brussels?“ Readers had 24 hours to answer the question with one of the four offered answers.
These polls were published on Instagram and Twitter. A total of 1,462 users voted – 1,289 on Instagram and 173 on Twitter.
The majority of users (517) say they do not support the agreement because it is not beneficial to both sides. On the other hand, 463 users claim they are in favor of the agreement because it benefits Albanians.
As many as 270 citizens indicated that they welcome the agreement because it benefits the Serbs from Kosovo, while 213 respondents say they welcome it because it benefits both sides.
The polls shared on Instagram and Twitter provided differing individual results.
While only 11% (148) of Instagram users say that they welcome the agreement because it benefits both parties, 37% (64 users) of Twitter respondents gave the same answer.
A total of 21% (268) of poll participants on Instagram welcomed the agreement because it benefits Kosovo Serbs, and only 1.2%, or 2 people, shared the same opinion on Twitter.
At the same time, 390 Instagram users (30%) said they support the agreement because it benefits Albanians. The same reply was given by the majority of polled Twitter users, 42.2%, i.e. 73 people.
A total of 483 (38%) Instagram users who participated in the poll voted that they do not support the agreement because it is not beneficial for both sides, while only 19.7% (34) of Twitter users share this opinion.
The KoSSev portal also asked Facebook users – „What do you think about the latest agreement in Brussels and do you know what was agreed?“
Within 24 hours, more than 170 users of this social network commented on the post.
Most of them shared a negative opinion of the agreement, criticizing the Serbian government. Furthermore, they described the agreement as „treason“ and „violation of the Constitution“.
„So what Kurti says, that’s what goes,“; „Another betrayal by Aleksandar Vucic and his camarilla, which they celebrate as a victory. And as for the agreement, nothing was agreed, Vucic fulfilled the wish of his coalition partner Albin Kurti and recognized the Kosovo documents. TREASON,“ read some of the comments.
Some users sarcastically highlighted Serbia’s „victory“ and measured it in goals:
„Another five-nil win away from home and one step closer to the Republic of Kosovo“, „Fought like a lion for three days and three nights and lost honorably with 7:0“.
Several ethnic Serb users of this network said that „each of our defeats is presented in the media as a victory.“ „Let us live a peaceful life“ – they add.
On the other hand, others praised the Serbian president and blamed the former government for Serbia’s unfavorable position in the dialogue.
„Well done, President, only he and no one else can find such a solution, it’s not our President’s fault, it’s the fault of the government before him led by Tito who gave autonomy to the Albanians,“ said one of the users.
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
