Ilic: Albanian diaspora is an instrument in the hands of great powers, Self-Determination cannot count on massive support

Dusan Ilic, associate of the Institute for European Studies, stated that the Kosovo Albanian diaspora has always been an instrument in the hands of certain powers and that in the extraordinary parliamentary elections on 28 December, they will vote according to the instructions of the centers of power.

Speaking to Kosovo Online, Ilic said that Kosovo’s caretaker prime minister and Self-Determination’s candidate for prime minister, Albin Kurti, cannot count on massive support from the diaspora in the upcoming elections, and not because of a change in attitude toward extremism, but because of shifts in geopolitical circumstances.

"The Albanian diaspora and the Albanian factor as a whole have never been an independent political actor, but an instrument in the hands of certain powers and geopolitical forces in this area, and the same applies this time. The Albanian diaspora has always been a factor that decided elections in our southern province, in North Macedonia, and to a large extent in Albania as well, but this time Albin Kurti and his party cannot count on such massive diaspora support, not because the diaspora has changed its view of the extremism of Kosovo Albanians and Albin Kurti’s party, but because of changing geopolitical circumstances", Ilic said.

According to him, criticism coming from Brussels and the United States could lead to a break in the previously unified voting pattern of the Kosovo Albanian diaspora.

"Given that one part of the Albanian diaspora lives in Western Europe under the Brussels umbrella, and another part in the United States where Donald Trump is now in power, and in the clash between the Trump administration and what we can call the deep state, of which Albanians and the diaspora, as well as not only Kurti but the entire Albanian political factor, have been and still are exponents, it seems that the Albanian diaspora will not be as unified as in previous years. In this context, these criticisms may be a sign that the unity of the Albanian diaspora will somewhat crack when it comes to supporting Albin Kurti and his Self-Determination Movement", Ilic added.

Noting that the Kosovo Albanian diaspora will again follow instructions from Washington, Brussels and London, which in previous years were marked by support for Self-Determination, Ilic emphasized that the "will" of the Kosovo diaspora may change in the coming period.

"It seems that whenever it suits the Anglo-Saxon centers of power, primarily Washington and London, the Albanian diaspora changes its stance and gives support to some new party, for example the Worth Movement in North Macedonia, which until recently was a minor party. We can expect that in the coming period the will of the Albanian diaspora will change, meaning they will choose someone else who is more suitable for fulfilling Anglo-Saxon interests in this part of the world", Ilic concluded.