Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat in the election, a development that has once again drawn attention to Serbia’s political future and its possible impact on relations with Kosovo.
Gurakuç Kuçi described this result as an opportunity for Serbia to move away from destabilizing policies. However, he stressed that political change does not in itself guarantee improved relations with Kosovo, as this will be demonstrated only by the concrete actions of Serbia’s future leadership, reports “Bota sot”.
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After more than a decade of political dominance, Aleksandar Vučić has conceded defeat to the student movement. This development is significant not only for Serbia, but also for security in the Western Balkans.
The students’ approach to Kosovo does not fundamentally differ from the traditional Serbian position on its independence. Nevertheless, this issue should also be viewed in the context of the elections, as avoiding sensitive foreign-policy topics may have been a strategy to unite citizens around the fight against corruption, authoritarianism and the capture of institutions.
For this reason, the student movement should not immediately be equated with Vučić’s regime. At the same time, it should not be assumed that a change in power will automatically bring a new course in Serbia’s policy toward Kosovo.
Vučić’s regime has used nationalism, tensions with Kosovo and threatening rhetoric as tools to retain political power. His defeat could pave the way for a different approach, one that would not rely on conflict and destabilization.
However, the true sign of change will not be only Serbia’s internal democratization. It will also be measured by the country’s conduct toward neighboring states.
For Kosovo, political developments in Belgrade should be assessed on the basis of concrete actions rather than electoral statements.
Vučić’s downfall could be the first step toward the end of a destabilizing model, but only future policy will show whether that model has come to an end.
