Pavkovic: Kurti institutionalized extreme party tactics against the Serbian community

Milos Pavkovic, an associate of the Center for European Policy in Belgrade, says that despite the weaker election results and uncertainties surrounding the formation of the new "Kurti 3" government, there is no "ambition" within the Self-Determination Movement to change the party leadership due to the dominant "cult of the leader." He explains that upon coming to power, Albin Kurti merely instrumentalized his extreme party tactics against the Serbian community.

"I do not expect Kurti to be replaced at this moment. It seems to me that Self-Determination is structured in a way where loyalty to him is unquestionable, where there is a cult of the leader – someone in whom no one has any doubt. I do not see any ambitions within the membership for a leadership change at this time. If Kurti fails to form a government and someone else does, then his potential accountability within the party could be brought to the table. But as long as there is a chance for him to form the government, this will not be a topic of intra-party discussions," Pavkovic told Kosovo Online.

He clarified that Glauk Konjufca is being mentioned in public as a potential challenger to Kurti.

"He has been part of the movement since its inception in 2005. He was elected in Self-Determination’s first parliamentary participation in 2010, led the parliamentary group, served as foreign minister, acted as interim president of Kosovo, and for several years now has been the Speaker of the Assembly. He is actually one of the best political figures that Self-Determination has. He has been there since the very beginning of the movement and enjoys the trust of its members," Pavkovic said.

However, he emphasized that the more important question is whether Konjufca would merely continue Kurti’s current tactics.

"From 2005 until Self-Determination came to power, Kurti employed an extremely radical approach, attracting far-right members and voters to his movement. From destroying UNMIK and EU vehicles to rioting in the streets and throwing tear gas in the Assembly while in opposition – he led this type of unconventional political struggle and, through such actions, secured his position as the party’s undisputed leader. And that remains unquestioned," Pavkovic explained.

He added that Kurti has not abandoned these tactics even as prime minister.

"His leadership is unquestionable because he has institutionalized this kind of tactic against the Serbian community. This is how he satisfies his extremist agenda – by applying extreme tactics through the legitimate monopoly on the use of physical force, police, and security structures of Kosovo, thereby channeling the needs of his membership. For this reason, I believe his authority in the party will remain unquestioned until there is an official change in government. Only then could his position as the leader of the movement come into question," Pavkovic concluded.