By Ilir Deda
Dear Saša,
„Peace through strength“ is a refreshing shift in America’s new foreign policy—one that’s long overdue. In recent years, we’ve witnessed a baffling level of inefficiency across the entire Western world, most glaringly in the Western Balkans. Frankly, I’m sick of even mentioning the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue. Since we seem incapable of simply saying, „Enough with the nitpicking,“ we are now facing America’s new approach, which will have far-reaching consequences.
In that context, the Kosovo parliamentary elections on February 9 will be crucial for Kosovo’s future: for democratic progress, for rebalancing the political landscape, for building trust within Kosovo—especially with the Serbian community—and for lifting the EU’s so-called „measures“ (sanctions) against Kosovo.
The current prime minister is running a campaign fueled by hatred—against everyone: the opposition, the media, journalists, entrepreneurs, analysts, the NGO sector—anyone who doesn’t think like him. His government has gone beyond the limits of normality, with its latest rhetoric claiming that only true patriots will vote for them, while everyone else is either a traitor or a supporter of Serbia. This most incompetent government we have ever had sees its end approaching and is now desperately resorting to extreme polarization to regain lost support.
The February 9 elections will be a test for Kosovo as a society—for Albanians, to see if they will fall for the empty words of an immature political elite or rise to the challenge of political maturity; and for Kosovo’s Serbs, to see if they will break free from political uniformity and give new political forces a chance to fight more effectively for their rights and future.
The election results will also shape Kosovo’s already strained relationship with the U.S., which is a matter of existential importance for Kosovo’s survival. As for the EU, I have no expectations whatsoever. If Russia’s aggression against Ukraine hasn’t woken them up to the fact that it’s high time for geopolitical decisions, then nothing will. In our case, that means the full integration of the Western Balkans into the EU by 2030.
As rapid global changes unfold, our societies remain deeply divided internally. You and I both know that polarization, without a functional internal political process, ultimately leads to collapse.
Every country in our region is at a crossroads—or, more precisely, facing two stark choices: political implosion or a step toward a better, more normal society. The coming phase will reveal whether political actors have matured enough to make the best decisions for their countries and citizens.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the challenges ahead.
Best regards,
Ilir
Preuzimanje i objavljivanje tekstova sa portala KoSSev nije dozvoljeno bez navođenja izvora. Hvala na poštovanju etike novinarske profesije.
