Spahiu: Introducing reserved seats for the diaspora would not be a good system

Political analyst Nexhmedin Spahiu believes that introducing reserved seats for the diaspora in Kosovo's Parliament would not be a sound system and would not solve any problems.

"To set aside seats for MPs representing the diaspora, the law would have to be amended, and I think that would create additional complications," Spahiu told Kosovo Online.

He noted that members of the diaspora frequently come to Kosovo and that it would be difficult to establish the necessary records because many of them own a house or apartment in Kosovo and continue paying utility bills there while living abroad.

"They can be here, and they can also be there," Spahiu pointed out.

If the system were nevertheless changed and the diaspora were granted reserved seats in Parliament, he believes it would primarily benefit Albin Kurti's Self-Determination.

He also said that calls to strip the diaspora of its voting rights, which it currently exercises through diplomatic missions or by mail, are unfair.

"The majority of Kosovo's population lives in the diaspora. Kosovo has around 3.3 million citizens, while only about 1.5 million live in Kosovo. That means the majority of its citizens live outside Kosovo. They have an impact on Kosovo's economy because they visit frequently and send money to their families, and that is what keeps Kosovo going. There are voices calling for the abolition of voting through embassies and by mail, but I don't think that is fair," Spahiu said.