The midterm elections held on November 3, 2026, have brought about a significant political reconfiguration in the United States. Democrats have won majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, creating a new balance of power between Congress and the administration of President Donald Trump. The new Congress is expected to begin its work on January 3, 2027.
The change in the majority in Washington is expected to be reflected in US domestic policy, including oversight of the administration, the passage of legislation and budgetary processes. For Kosovo, this development requires particular diplomatic attention, as the United States continues to be one of its main supporters of security, statehood and its Euro-Atlantic orientation.
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Experts say that Pristina should not tie its relationship with Washington solely to one administration or a particular party. Instead, it should build a lasting partnership with both sides of the American political spectrum.
The history of Kosovo-US relations shows that American support has been bipartisan. NATO’s intervention in 1999 took place during the presidency of Democrat Bill Clinton, while the United States recognized Kosovo’s independence on February 18, 2008, during the Republican administration of George W. Bush.
According to experts, this legacy demonstrates that Pristina must maintain strong ties with both American parties. At the same time, Kosovo’s diplomacy should expand contacts with the new members of Congress, maintain communication with the Trump administration and develop a concrete agenda for strategic cooperation.
One of the important priorities also remains the revival of the Strategic Dialogue with the United States, which was suspended in September 2025. Commentator Agim Vuniqi and international relations professor Nijazi Halili discussed the impact of the changes in Congress on Kosovo’s position in Washington, the need for lobbying in both parties and the steps required to restore trust.
Vuniqi: A change in the congressional majority does not automatically bring a new policy toward Kosovo
Agim Vuniqi views Democratic control of both chambers of Congress as a development that changes the political configuration in Washington, but not as a sure sign of a change in US foreign policy toward Kosovo.
He said that Pristina should assess the situation realistically. The new majority could create additional opportunities for Kosovo’s diplomatic engagement, but relations with the United States are determined by numerous institutional and strategic factors.
“The latest elections to the US Congress, which according to reports so far return Democrats to control of both chambers, have changed the political balance in Washington. However, Kosovo should interpret this result carefully. This development may create new diplomatic space, but it does not in itself imply a change in US policy toward Kosovo. The new Congress will begin its term in January 2027,” Vuniqi told “Bota sot”.
He added that the most immediate impact of the elections would be seen in US domestic issues, such as disputes over the budget, legislation and congressional oversight of the administration. According to him, policy toward Kosovo may be affected by the new balance of power, but there is no reason to believe that it will become one of the main points of conflict between Democrats and the Republican president.
Vuniqi emphasized that the president remains the central figure in directing foreign policy. The presidential administration leads diplomacy, determines positions in negotiations and manages day-to-day relations with foreign governments.
However, he stressed that the president’s powers are not unlimited. Congress passes laws and approves funding, oversees the executive branch, while the Senate participates in confirming senior appointments and approving treaties.
“Congressional support is important, but it cannot replace a functional relationship with the White House and the State Department,” he said.
According to the commentator, a Congress controlled by Democrats could give Kosovo more opportunities to present its concerns and interests. But the strong political polarization in the United States could make it more difficult to move from political support to concrete decisions.
Therefore, Pristina should avoid giving the impression that it is taking one side in America’s domestic political conflict. “Kosovo needs friends in both parties and direct cooperation with the administration in office,” Vuniqi emphasized.
He also referred to the history of Kosovo’s statehood, recalling that the recognition of its independence by the Republican administration of George W. Bush on February 18, 2008, is evidence that the partnership with the United States should not be built on closeness to only one party or political figure.
In this regard, Kosovo’s diplomacy should strengthen contacts with the new congressional leadership without severing ties with Republicans and US administration institutions. According to Vuniqi, lobbying should be accompanied by clear requests concerning security, investment and international integration.
He said that friendly meetings and statements have value only when followed by professional work, institutional coordination and concrete results.
Regarding the Strategic Dialogue, Vuniqi considered its return one of the main objectives of Kosovo’s diplomacy. According to him, the planned suspension in September 2025 showed that historic friendship does not preclude political disagreements.
“To restore the dialogue, Pristina must seriously address the concerns expressed by Washington and present a concrete agenda for cooperation,” he said.
Vuniqi concluded that the change in the congressional majority should be viewed as an opportunity to expand American support, rather than as a reason to align Kosovo’s policy with partisan divisions in the United States. According to him, diplomatic success will be measured by Pristina’s ability to maintain American trust even when US institutions are led by different parties.
Halili: Kosovo must build bridges with Democrats and Republicans
Professor Nijazi Halili, a scholar of International Relations, Political Science and Diplomacy, described the Democrats’ victory in the Senate and House of Representatives as a development of importance for US foreign policy and Kosovo’s strategic interests.
According to him, the new political configuration will affect the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term. However, Pristina should not treat this result as one party’s victory or the other’s defeat.
“For Kosovo, this change should be viewed through the state’s long-term strategic interests and not only through partisan calculations in Washington. Congress plays a role in shaping foreign policy, overseeing the administration, approving the budget and supporting international partnerships,” Halili told “Bota sot”.
He emphasized that the change in the majority could create new opportunities, but at the same time requires more active, organized and professional Kosovo diplomacy. According to him, support for Kosovo should remain part of America’s strategic interests, Euro-Atlantic security and the stability of the Western Balkans.
Halili recalled that the United States has played a decisive role in Kosovo’s liberation, state-building and international consolidation. For this reason, the relationship with Washington should not be reduced to relations with one administration or one political party.
He called on Pristina to move from a largely reactive diplomacy to an active and strategic approach. According to him, contacts with the White House should be complemented by sustained engagement in Congress, the Senate, foreign policy committees, security institutions and American strategic studies centers.
“Kosovo must build bridges of cooperation with Republicans and Democrats and create a stable network of friends and supporters in both parties. In this process, the Albanian-American diaspora can also play an important role, having contributed for decades to internationalizing the Kosovo issue,” the professor said.
He added that Kosovo’s diplomats should have in-depth knowledge of American institutions, decision-making mechanisms and Washington’s geopolitical priorities. According to him, Pristina must demonstrate that it is a reliable US partner, contributes to regional security and supports peace, democracy and Euro-Atlantic integration.
Halili described the restoration of the Strategic Dialogue as one of the main priorities of Kosovo’s foreign policy. He described the suspension of this mechanism in September 2025 as a serious diplomatic signal that Kosovo’s institutions must address responsibly and realistically.
According to him, statements made by the US Department of State in October 2026 also reiterated that the resumption of the dialogue is linked to the creation of suitable conditions, including the fulfillment of Kosovo’s commitments to the Serbian community.
Halili called on Kosovo’s institutions to take concrete diplomatic and institutional steps while respecting the Constitution, the rights of communities and international obligations.
He said that the Strategic Dialogue should not be viewed as a formal communication mechanism, but as a platform for expanding cooperation in security, defense, energy, investment, technology and economic development.
“Its restoration would create an opportunity for a more structured partnership and would show that Kosovo is ready to align its state interests with the responsibilities arising from its strategic partnership with the United States,” he emphasized.
The professor stressed that relations with the United States should be considered one of the fundamental pillars of Kosovo’s foreign policy and security, particularly during a period marked by geopolitical rivalries and changes in international relations.
According to him, developments in Washington should encourage Pristina to review its diplomatic approach, increase institutional coordination and build a common vision for relations with its strategic partner.
“The alliance with the United States is not merely a diplomatic relationship, but one of the main foundations of Kosovo’s security and Euro-Atlantic orientation. In the face of conflicts, geopolitical rivalries and the reconfiguration of international relations, Pristina must demonstrate political maturity, institutional unity and strategic vision,” Halili concluded.
He added that the changes in Washington should not find Kosovo unprepared. On the contrary, they should be used to advance diplomacy and transform the historic friendship with America into an even more stable institutional and strategic partnership. According to Halili, preserving and strengthening this alliance is the responsibility of every institution and political generation in Kosovo.
