Krasniqi: Snap elections will change the political balance in Kosovo

University professor and security expert Kole Krasniqi states that the elections on 28 December will change the political balance and that the election campaign will be focused on issues of national security and foreign policy, while domestic issues will remain peripheral topics.

Krasniqi told Kosovo Online that the vote against the government proposed by former Speaker of the Kosovo Assembly Glauk Konjufca once again confirmed the fragmentation of the parliamentary scene and the lack of cohesion between political blocs, which led President of Kosovo Vjosa Osmani to call snap elections to be held on 28 December.

In that context, as Krasniqi notes, the new elections are expected to articulate two impulses of the electorate.

“The first is the demand for political stability – through consolidating support for the dominant entity that guarantees stable governance. The second is the expression of dissatisfaction – through further political fragmentation and the redistribution of votes in favor of new or alternative forces,” Krasniqi explains.

Regarding the election campaign, Krasniqi says it will be focused on national security and foreign policy issues, while domestic topics will remain on the sidelines.

“Such as the dialogue with Serbia, tensions in the north, the question of accession, relations with the EU and the US, as well as the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity. Meanwhile, on the domestic front, socio-economic factors – such as inflation, unemployment, rising prices and the management of public money – will remain peripheral topics, because the Kosovo voter traditionally reacts more strongly to issues of identity and political problems than to economic indicators,” he concludes.

It is expected, Krasniqi adds, that regardless of the final outcome, the elections on 28 December will change the political balance, increase citizen participation, and reflect society’s demands for more professional and sustainable governance with stronger institutional capacities.