Albin Kurti Poses with ‘Greater Albania’ Flag at Election Rally

At a recent election rally in Suva Reka, Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti was photographed alongside a flag depicting the concept of „Greater Albania,“ a nationalist symbol that includes parts of several neighboring countries. The event, organized by Kurti’s ruling party, Vetëvendosje (Self-Determination), prominently featured Albanian national colors, with multiple red-and-black flags visible throughout the venue.

Kurti shared a total of 70 images from the rally on his official Facebook profile, highlighting the enthusiasm of his supporters. Among the sea of Albanian flags, at least one American and one Kosovan flag were also visible.

However, what drew attention was the presence of the „Greater Albania“ flag, and Kurti himself posing next to it. One image shows him standing beside a supporter dressed in traditional Albanian attire, holding the controversial flag.

The Symbolism Behind the ‘Greater Albania’ Flag

The „Greater Albania“ flag depicts an expanded Albanian territory, encompassing not only the entirety of Albania and Kosovo but also large portions of Montenegro—including its capital Podgorica—nearly half of North Macedonia, parts of northwestern Greece, and regions of Serbia, such as Preševo, Bujanovac, Medveđa, the Sandžak region, and Toplica.

The flag also features portraits of Ismail Qemali, Albania’s first prime minister and a key figure in the country’s independence movement, and Isa Boletini, an Albanian nationalist leader who fought against Serbia during the Balkan Wars.

The concept of „Greater Albania“ has existed in Albanian nationalist discourse since the late 19th century, notably with the formation of the Prizren League. During World War II, Italian fascist occupiers incorporated several of these disputed territories into Albania, further fueling nationalist aspirations. Vetëvendosje itself has historically advocated for the unification of Kosovo and Albania, a central theme in its political platform.

Nationalist Overtones in Vetëvendosje’s Campaign

Since the beginning of the election campaign on January 11, Vetëvendosje’s rallies have consistently featured Albanian national symbols, often accompanied by the „Greater Albania“ flag.

This was the case at the campaign launch in South Mitrovica on January 12 and has continued at subsequent events. The rallies often include nationalist songs praising Albania and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), reinforcing the party’s strong ethnic identity message.

Kurti’s speeches have also echoed nationalist rhetoric, with frequent references to Albania’s strength and Kosovo’s independence. In one such speech, he declared:

“Now we are an independent state… with a powerful army and an exceptional police force. We are self-sufficient. Stronger and more resilient than Serbia… The Albanian people are greater and more ancient.”

Such statements have drawn criticism from Kosovo’s Serbian minority and political opponents. The Serbian Democratic Party has filed a complaint with Kosovo’s Election Complaints and Appeals Panel, arguing that Kurti’s remarks promote ethnic discrimination against Serbs.

1 od 3

Additionally, the party was fined €5,000 over comments made by Kosovo Assembly Speaker Glauk Konjufca at a campaign rally, where he framed the election as a choice between “Albanian nationalism” and governance influenced by Belgrade.

Kurti’s Remarks on Serbia’s Political Situation

At the Suva Reka rally, Kurti also took aim at Serbia’s political turmoil, referencing the recent resignation of Serbian Prime Minister Miloš Vučević. He contrasted Serbia’s “instability” with Kosovo’s “growing strength,” stating:

“In Brussels, they pressure me with the signatures of my predecessors Mustafa and Thaçi, yet they avoid making agreements with me because they don’t want to sign them. In the past, when former Kosovo governments engaged in dialogue, Serbia grew stronger while Kosovo weakened. With our government and the dialogue we lead, Serbia is unstable while Kosovo rises and strengthens. You remember how prime ministers used to resign in Kosovo; now it happens in Serbia.”