By: Ilir Deda
Dear Saša,
Reading your question about elections and CHOICE reminded me of myself when I deeply believed it was worth committing to and working toward a CHOICE that, in my view, would mean a huge leap toward the present day – and toward modern politics and values, whatever that meant at the time. And then I realized and accepted that I was profoundly mistaken. Unlike Kosovo back then, the main driving force today is defiance.
But defiance is almost always against the future, so we will very soon see which direction Kosovo is heading in.
Most likely, new parliamentary elections will be held in December.
To your question, “Did a real choice happen?” I would say that the moment Kosovo is in now requires a clearer direction.
If the results are the same as on February 9, then it seems we are heading toward the Bulgarian scenario – endless parliamentary elections until there is a clear majority. That is the worst possible outcome, and I hope this lost year has made a portion of citizens more aware, encouraging them to vote in larger numbers for change, even if the parties advocating change are not fully to their liking.
And while Kosovo is preoccupied with itself, I would very much like to hear your view on some signs of change in the region.
The most striking change is clearly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The agreement between Milorad Dodik and the U.S. administration appears to be multilayered – a return to constitutional functioning for BiH, an end to undermining the state, the preservation of existing entity rights, unblocking the European path, and dropping the obstruction of NATO membership.
We have already seen the reward in the lifting of sanctions against Dodik and his broad circle of associates and business entities.
What do you think of this change? Is this a sign of a complete return under the American umbrella – which, in my opinion, is exactly where our entire region should be? And can it work in the long term?
In Serbia, a touching commemoration was held in Novi Sad on the anniversary of the collapse of a shelter that claimed 16 lives.
In your view, how will the current political crisis be resolved? Besides the existing polarization, there is much attention on how the Serbian government will respond to U.S. sanctions against Naftna Industrija Srbije.
Will the current leadership manage to break free from Russia’s embrace and survive politically?
From a distance of time, future generations will look in wonder at these years and at the obstinate persistence of our societies in a bewitched Balkan circle.
We no longer seem capable of making a break from the legacy of the wars of the 1990s and moving toward genuinely building modern states and mutual cooperation.
Warm regards,
Ilir
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