Weber analyst: Dialogue likely to become difficult and conflicting after VV victory

Deutsche Welle: Vetevendosje's renewed victory in Kosovo has been met with enthusiasm within Kosovo, but with reservations from abroad. How should the initial outcome of the February 14, 2021 elections be read?

Bodo Weber: Like the outcome of the previous November 2019 elections, so in the first place, as a vote by most citizens of Kosovo against old and solid political structures, against elites who have a historic background in the 1990s war for independence, against corruption, against the lack of a development-oriented economy and social policy. This protest was reinforced by the episode with the collapse of the Kurti government last year and the fact that the PDK lost Thaci and Weselin.

DW: Despite Vetevendosje's deep victory, many people think even Kurt will not be easy. Where do you see possible obstacles to a stable government in Kosovo?

Weber: The final outcome of elections and the distribution of seats in parliament remains to be expected. If Vetevendosje does not reach the absolute majority, it will likely enter a coalition with a large part of non-Serb minority representatives. Interesting will be relations with the Serbian List. Even though Mr. Kurti refused in the coalition campaign with them, I would not rule out an indirect LS participation in the government, given the constitutionally guaranteed position of 10 Serb minority deputies in parliament. As for the president's election, I don't believe this problem has really been resolved with the outcome of parliamentary elections.

A commentator in German newspapers predicted that Kurti would undermine the EU policy's ease towards Kosovo, what awaits Brussels from Kurti as prime minister?

In a way, the commentator is right because Kurt and Vetevendosje have political visions with restraint. The rest of the political class has testified that they have almost no political stance, which is not negotiable with office. However, I don't see any problems. The new government will be more vocal and direct with legitimate criticism of blocking visa liberalisation. It remains to be seen whether the signals shown in 2020 will be realised that visa liberalisation can be experienced this year.

Dialogue with Serbia is likely to be more difficult or potentially more conflicting. In view of the past four years and the challenges of pandemic, it is quite understandable that the new ruling party is demonstrating that dialogue is no priority for them.

But it should not ignore the fact that with the arrival of the Biden administration and the outcome of German Chancellor Merkel's mandate at the end of this year, a time window probably unique to find a final and just solution to negotiations with Serbia opens. So to reach a final, comprehensive, and mutually recognised agreement.

Kosovo citizens voted for the second time in a row for an alternative party. In other Western Balkan countries, such options are lacking. It's a coincidence?

I don't believe it's a coincidence. As for the state of democracy and the rule of law, Kosovo does not have a big difference from neighbouring countries, but society there is much more plural than the rest of the region, both in politics and the media. Perhaps this has to do with the fact that the population is much younger than in other countries.