Promises Repeated in Every Campaign

The political parties' campaign for the October 22nd local elections in Kosovo has continued with promises nearly similar to those given in past campaigns.

Election observers and political analysts say these promises are not only similar to those of the first four years, but also the promises given in the early post-war period.

The first post-war elections in Kosovo were held in 2001.

All of this, they say, implies that promises given in the past have not been realised by candidates who had chosen to lead with municipalities.

The repeated promises are believed to have to do with the basic needs of citizens.

Water management, quality public services, street asphalt, quality in education and school construction, and even quality raising in health services are some of the promises repeated in nearly every election campaign in Kosovo.

Political Affairs analyst Ismajl Hasani tells Radio Free Europe that this repetition of promises suggests that it has not been properly worked by mayors.

Unfortunately, Kosovo lacks leadership, lacks not only political education but also professional of people who accept the candidacy for a post. Over the years and in how many municipal and national elections that have been held from the post-war down here, it's always been talked about sewage treatment, waste storage, quality services... there are all these things that haven't been done”, Hasani says.

He considers the fact that there are some candidates who, at times, have run for mayor with the same promises.

Representatives of organisations that deal with monitoring election campaigns in Kosovo, meanwhile, say the promises of candidates for mayors are repeated, as such have not been realised.

Artan Murati from the Kosovo Democratic Institute, an organisation which deals with monitoring the election campaign, says there may be an exception here in certain municipalities, but in general the country still is discussed on basic issues.

According to him, water, road infrastructure, quality public services, waste removal and other issues still continue.

This campaign for local elections has not brought any innovation if compared to the previous campaign, whether for national or local elections. If compared to local elections in most Kosovo municipalities, pre-elector promises are the same, most of them are connected with infrastructure or with better realisation of municipal services”, Murati says.

Repeating the same promises in nearly every election campaign, Murati adds, are the best indicator of the work dynamics being held in the country.

This shows the inconsistencies that political subjects may have in their work and in their failure to fulfill promises in this case. As long as the citizen vote is taken, and then jobs are done more slowly and no longer the right attention”, Murati points out.

The campaign for the 22 October local elections will last until 20 October. On 21 October, it will be electoral silence. While, local elections in 38 Kosovo municipalities will be held on October 22nd. As a result, new mayors and councillors will be elected at municipal assemblies.