Miskeljin: Kurti attracted the diaspora with nationalist messages

Marko Miskeljin, an associate at the Center for Social Stability, assessed that the convincing victory of the Self-Determination Movement among the diaspora in the recent elections was a result of Albin Kurti’s nationalist rhetoric and the fact that economic issues are secondary for citizens who do not live in Kosovo.

"When we look at the overall numbers, they are not nearly as significant compared to the total number of votes cast in Kosovo. However, given the current results, it is clear that every vote now matters. From that perspective, this is quite interesting and will certainly be a subject of debate and considerable suspicion. Especially if, long after the elections, it turns out that Albin Kurti manages to gather enough votes for a majority," Miskeljin told Kosovo Online.

He believes that Kurti’s nationalism won over the diaspora.

"For people living in the diaspora who vote, nationalism is a priority. Albin Kurti not only promotes it but builds his entire campaign and political activity around spreading nationalism. Unfortunately, this is primarily reflected in the harassment of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija," he said.

Miskeljin explained that the Self-Determination Movement "captures" the diaspora with rhetoric that does not focus on economic problems, which are the main concern for the average voter in Kosovo.

"We are aware of the state of the economy, the lack of an effective fight against corruption, and even the measures imposed by the European Union, which pose a problem for budget revenues. However, these issues are not a priority for people living abroad. This is one of the reasons why Albin Kurti received such strong support from the diaspora," the analyst stated.

He emphasized the importance of media-driven narratives that resonate with the diaspora.

"Kurti managed to convince a significant part of the electorate through narratives spread primarily via media outlets under his control or those sympathetic to him. This narrative was particularly successful among diaspora voters because it aligns with their primary concerns. Existential issues, the economy, and the fight against corruption do not affect their daily lives, as they live in well-functioning systems. That was the main focus of Kurti’s campaign, so it was natural for him to achieve the greatest success within this segment of the electorate," Miskeljin concluded.