Mijacic: Self-Determination leads in hate speech and ethnonationalism

Dragisa Mijacic, coordinator of the Working Group of the National Convention on the EU for Chapter 35, stated that, unlike other Albanian parties, including those originating from the KLA, the Self-Determination Movement has been at the forefront of hate speech and ethnonationalism during this election campaign.

"Hate speech and ethnonationalist narratives are nothing new in the Balkans, nor in Kosovo. In this campaign, the Self-Determination Movement stands out as the main promoter of such rhetoric in public discourse. We hear much less of it from other political parties, including those that directly emerged from the KLA," Mijacic told Kosovo Online.

He explains that Self-Determination’s campaign is focused on presenting the government's actions toward the Serbian community, particularly in northern Kosovo.

"The intensified campaign by Self-Determination reflects their primary electoral strategy – highlighting their policies toward the Serbian community, especially those living in northern Kosovo. So, it is no surprise that Albin Kurti and the Self-Determination Movement have opted for a nationalist discourse in their public appearances during the campaign," Mijacic emphasized.

Political parties have so far paid over 400,000 euros in fines for violating campaign rules, but Mijacic sees this as expected.

"Every election year, political entities face penalties during the campaign. This year, the fines may have reached their peak compared to previous elections," he said.

However, he singles out the fine imposed on Self-Determination earlier this week for displaying the "three-finger salute."

"Self-Determination was fined for raising three fingers during a campaign rally in Srbica. The astonishing sum of 35,000 euros was imposed, as the three-finger gesture is seen as a provocation, given what it symbolizes for the Serbian community and how Albanians perceive the events of the 1990s," Mijacic explained.

He notes that most fines were smaller, ranging between 5,000 and 10,000 euros.

The question remains how these sanctions will influence voter decisions.

"The real question is whether this will affect the electorate’s choices. However, it will certainly impact the budgets of political parties," Mijacic concluded.