Milenkovic: Osmani's attitude towards the Serbian community fits into the policy of Self-Determination

Marko Milenkovic from the NGO "New Social Initiative" comments on the three-year mandate of Vjosa Osmani as President of Kosovo, stating that although there were indications that she could contribute to improving relations between communities in Kosovo, this did not happen. Apart from some milder stances, in his view, nothing different was obtained from her compared to the Self-Determination Party's policies.

"The attitude towards the Serbian community by Vjosa Osmani and the role she performs fit into the entire policy of the executive authorities in Pristina, that is, the Self-Determination Party and their approach. In the previous period, we witnessed the deterioration of relations between the Serbian community and institutions in Kosovo. Everything that was built from the Brussels Agreement to the Self-Determination Party's takeover in recent years has been eroded, primarily the trust between citizens and institutions, but it seems also between communities in Kosovo. This can be attributed to the entire Self-Determination Party but also to Ms. Vjosa Osmani, who fits into that overall picture," Milenkovic says.

He notes that there is a perception that Osmani has better relations with the international community compared to Albin Kurti, but he emphasizes that her mandate involves greater cooperation with the international community.

"There is also a perception within the international community of Osmani as a more constructive partner who has had less impact on making harmful decisions, especially those related to the normalization of relations and relations with the Serbian community. In that sense, there is a better partnership between her and the international community, but not to a greater and more significant extent because Osmani did not have great power to influence specific issues of the Serbian community and issues related to the normalization of relations and progress in dialogue," Milenkovic points out.

According to some polls, our interlocutor points out, Osmani as a political leader does not rank as high as some other political representatives from Pristina, especially those from the Self-Determination Party, which, he says, somewhat indicates that she did not have enough freedom, mechanisms, and strength to position herself as a significant political figure in the political arena.

"Whether this was limited by the Self-Determination Party and Albin Kurti himself or by some other aspects, we do not know, but Osmani does not rank as Kurti or some other politicians, and we will certainly see this when measured in the next elections. I think there is a question mark over Vjosa Osmani's further political engagement after her mandate expires," Milenkovic says.