Germany’s diplomatic representative in Kosovo, Reiner Rudolph, has appealed for the urgent establishment of new state institutions, emphasizing that this action is vital for political stability, the normal functioning of the state, and the advancement of key institutional processes.
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In an interview, Rudolph highlighted the importance of Kosovo sending a strong and unequivocal signal about who will lead the executive in the next four years. According to him, political uncertainty and the absence of legitimate institutions undermine the trust of citizens, international allies, and investors in the country’s stability.
“I believe that now it is essential for Kosovo to send a signal about who will build the institutions for the next four years. I am aware that discussions and procedures are underway, but I honestly think it would be positive to have the institutions as soon as possible and not enter another phase of uncertainty,” said the German ambassador.
He added that although talks on establishing the institutions are still ongoing, it is important to complete them as soon as possible. Rudolph warned that prolonging this period could bring unnecessary political instability and hinder decision-making on issues of major state interest.
The German diplomat noted that the swift creation of institutions would pave the way for Kosovo to focus on key priorities, such as reforms, economic development, and international partnership. He reaffirmed that institutional stability is an essential condition for the country’s advancement and for effectively facing the challenges ahead in the coming years.
Zogaj: Germany has long been warning Kosovo to free itself from this institutional deadlock
On this matter, in a statement for “Bota sot”, journalist Skënder Zogaj spoke.
He emphasizes that the delay in establishing institutions is causing serious damage to the state, jeopardizing ties with strategic allies, and hindering the country’s integration, so the political spectrum must react without delay.
“The statement of Ambassador Rudolph about the urgent need to put the new institutions into operation should be seen as a strong warning. It is not merely a diplomatic recommendation but a clear indication that the prolongation of the process is seriously damaging the state of Kosovo.
It is absurd for a state with such great challenges to remain without functioning institutions. Kosovo has never had this luxury, not even for a single day, let alone for months. Currently, Kosovo faces dangers in many areas, but most worrying is the cooling of relations with strategic partners, whose contribution was decisive for liberation and freedom. Building and strengthening the state is the duty of Kosovars themselves, and any delay in democratic processes and on the European path weakens the country’s international position. Without functioning institutions, Kosovo cannot be an integral part of the regional and European security architecture,” he said.
Furthermore, the journalist adds that the repeated appeals of international partners, especially Germany, for the swift formation of institutions must not be ignored, as any delay undermines Kosovo’s international position and complicates the path towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
“Exactly for this reason, diplomats of friendly countries are repeatedly repeating the same appeal: Kosovo must create its institutions without delay. Every lost day generates political, diplomatic, and strategic consequences.
Germany has long been warning Kosovo to get out of this institutional impasse. It would be unforgivable if these messages were ignored. Time is not on Kosovo’s side, and every delay makes it harder to restore trust and accelerate the Euro-Atlantic journey,” journalist Zogaj stated for “Bota sot”.
Gashi: Kosovo must finally roll up its sleeves and build stable institutions
Meanwhile, political affairs expert Eduard Gashi, in a conversation with “Bota sot”, assessed that the German ambassador’s warning should be taken as an important diplomatic signal, as the institutional blockade is weakening Kosovo’s international position, while the political class is giving priority to party interests over state interests.
“The esteemed German ambassador rightly notes concern about the course of events in Kosovo. His word is not simply a call for the establishment of institutions, but a diplomatic signal. In diplomacy, especially when it comes from a state like Germany, words are weighed carefully and are not spoken casually.
The prolonged institutional blockade is seriously damaging Kosovo’s relations with international partners. Kosovo has diplomatic representations in many countries of the world, where important work is done and contacts with friendly countries are built. However, this work must be continued and finalized by functional and legitimate institutions in Prishtina. If these do not function, even the best diplomacy loses its power.
Unfortunately, today many political actors are more focused on preserving or increasing their power than on the state interest. They forget that politics does not exist to serve parties, but to move the state forward and improve the lives of citizens,” he said.
The political expert further argues that the excessively prolonged institutional blockade is reducing Kosovo’s credibility and international weight, at a time when Western partners demand functional states, risking political, economic, and consequences for the European integration process.
“Today Kosovo finds itself in a completely different geopolitical reality from the first years of independence. Europe is undergoing major security changes, and Western partners demand reliable, predictable, and functional states. Nobody demands perfection, but everyone expects institutions that make decisions and implement them.
Naturally, this long period of institutional blockade will have consequences. No state can indefinitely afford the lack of normal institutional functioning. This is not a party issue, but an indicator of the state’s political maturity. In international politics, justifications and blame are not valid. What is valued are results. Excuses may buy time, but only results build trust.
For this very reason, Kosovo risks losing political weight and international credibility. In diplomacy, trust is capital. A state that for a long time fails to make strategic decisions begins to be perceived not as part of the solution, but as part of the problem.
Even more painful is the comparison with the past. There was a time when Kosovo’s leaders were welcomed at the White House, held high-level meetings in European capitals, and Kosovo was one of the priorities of Western policy. Today we mostly see symbolic photos with handshakes, while Kosovo’s real political influence on the international stage has shrunk considerably.
This will cost Kosovo politically, economically, and in the European integration process. Populist rhetoric will not change this reality,” Gashi explained.
The journalist finally emphasizes that all political forces bear responsibility to create functional institutions through dialogue and compromise, because only a stable, serious, and reliable Kosovo can maintain the support of allies and strengthen its international position.
“Even the call to respect the will of the people is not enough. Democracy does not only include winning elections. Democracy also means the ability to build functional institutions, to reach compromises, and to take responsibility for the state. Democratic mechanisms are designed to ensure institutional stability, not to produce endless blockades.
All political forces have responsibility. The election winner has a stronger democratic mandate, but precisely for this reason also bears the greatest responsibility. A true leader is not measured by ideological stubbornness, but by the ability to create majorities, to build bridges of cooperation, and to find solutions. At the same time, the opposition also has obligations to the state and must not turn political disagreement into institutional paralysis.
Kosovo must not fall into the illusion that the support of allies is eternal. In international relations, friendships are built on shared values, but also on shared interests. Support is not a blank check; it is earned continuously through seriousness, stability, and reliability.
Therefore, Kosovo must finally roll up its sleeves, create stable institutions, keep them functional, and move forward with concrete work and results. In a rapidly changing world, a state that stands still does not stay where it is – it falls behind. Only by being a functional, serious, and reliable state can Kosovo regain its international weight and the respect of strategic partners,” concluded political affairs expert Eduard Gashi for “Bota sot”.
