Dr. Gurakuç Kuçi
Senior Researcher at Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies “OCTOPUS”
For the parliamentary elections held in February 2025 in Kosovo, the European Union deployed a special mission to monitor the electoral process, the campaign, foreign interference, and propaganda activities. The mission’s final report clearly confirmed the open involvement of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, the use of economic pressure and social schemes, the influence of media outlets controlled by Belgrade and Serbian List, as well as the role of the Serbian Orthodox Church. It also highlighted the limited access of other Serbian political parties and several other serious irregularities.
However, for the local elections held in October, the European Union did not send an observation mission. So far, the EU has only issued a general statement to the media, welcoming the elections and calling for the swift inauguration of the newly elected mayors.
It remains unclear why, this time, the EU chose not to engage directly in monitoring the electoral process in Kosovo. To date, no official report has been published that could offer a detailed assessment of these elections.
If the European Union continues to serve as a reference point for free and democratic elections, should the same principle not apply equally to Kosovo. a country aspiring to join the EU?
/Argumentum.al
