Petritsch: Institutional instability reinforces the position of the five EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo

Former European Union Special Envoy for Kosovo Wolfgang Petritsch has stated that, amid major global uncertainties, it is time for voters to act as active and responsible citizens by sending a clear message to the political leadership that prolonged institutional deadlock is no longer acceptable and that institutions must function, Radio Free Europe reports. He stressed that institutional instability strengthens the position of the five EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo.

“I do not wish to interfere in domestic politics, and I do not know how the next elections will turn out, but in a way, citizens should tell the dominant party and its leader that now is the time to act and get things done,” Petritsch told Radio Free Europe.

The former Austrian diplomat said that voters should send a clear message at the polls that prolonged institutional blockages are no longer acceptable and that institutions must be able to function effectively.

In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Petritsch assessed that frequent elections, personal rivalries, and a lack of compromise have caused Kosovo to remain on the sidelines at a time when Europe’s security and political architecture is being reshaped by the war in Ukraine, the crisis in the Middle East, and the weakening of U.S. security guarantees.

According to him, instead of being recognized as a small but credible democracy, Kosovo is increasingly being viewed as another source of instability on Europe’s periphery.

Petritsch believes that 18 months without institutional stability is far too long for a society facing a fragile security environment and warned that such a situation further entrenches the positions of the five EU member states that do not recognize Kosovo.

“What exactly are we supposed to recognize? For a year and a half they have been unable to form a stable government, and they have been unable to elect a president,” Petritsch said.

He called on citizens voting on June 7 to demand accountability and functional institutions from political leaders, arguing that voters themselves can contribute to bringing Kosovo closer to European standards and accelerating its European integration path.