Summary of the Week 96

Although according to the “timetable” Kosovo was supposed to have a newly elected president by the end of this week, circumstances have changed. Who took the wrong turn and who is responsible for the new institutional crisis will likely become clear in the coming weeks.

Another weekly ride through Kosovo’s reality, full of political tricks and sudden turns. The destination seemed clear to everyone, at least at first glance, but the road leading to it has proven to be full of both expected and unexpected obstacles.

“Much depends on the decision of Albin Kurti,” historian Stefan Radojkovic told Kosovo Online. “He is now, so to speak, in the driver’s seat,” Radojkovic added.

Even the driver’s seat is not always the most comfortable one. It requires concentration, tactics, and various skills—though not necessarily careful listening to what the surrounding environment is saying or thinking.

“Konjufca is not a bad option either,” citizens of Pristina commented about the possible choice of a new president when it still seemed that one would indeed be elected. “Still, I’m for Vjosa Osmani,” some of the citizens we spoke with said.

When the journey does not begin on time, people sometimes try to compensate for lost time with speed. Members of parliament attempted exactly that this week, almost at the last minute. Yet in this case as well, it turned out not to be a good idea.

“Throughout all these years Kurti has consistently shown how much he himself does not accept the Constitution and the legal order of Kosovo,” says political scientist Ognjen Gogic, adding: “Each time Kurti demonstrates how ready he is to undermine that order from within.”

Whether the path Kosovo took this week is even passable will now have to be assessed by the Constitutional Court.

And what the journey will look like for the Serbs from the middle of the month onward is a question many fear. Which direction to take, which rules to follow, where to go—these are some of the dilemmas that the coming week may resolve.

“They have taken everything from us,” citizens of North Mitrovica comment. “And they had all of that with us. We ate together, drank together, received medical treatment together, went to school together… everything we did together. This is now being done systematically so that we will move away,” they say.

Perhaps this may create confusion locally, but they claim they are ready for longer journeys and greater challenges. They say they are not afraid of new conflicts spilling over, and even existing ones—such as the war in Gaza—they would be ready to help resolve.

“I do not see the capacity for the Kosovo Security Force (KSF) to participate in peace enforcement,” security expert Nikola Vujinovic told Kosovo Online. “So how would you export security?” he asks.

This week’s journey, as we have seen, did not bring us to the intended destination. Sharp turns and unexpected moves appeared along the way. And in the driver’s seat, at least temporarily, there have also been changes.