Austrian presidential candidate Günther Fehlinger-Jahn backs Marjana Koçeku

Günther Fehlinger-Jahn, who has announced his candidacy for president of Austria, voiced support for independent MP Marjana Koçeku and her position that Serbia should recognize Kosovo’s independence. Her debate with Vladimir Štimac, who is associated with Serbia’s student movement, was also followed by Romana Vlahutin, the former European Union ambassador to Albania.

The exchange began on the social media platform X after Štimac said that Kosovo is and will remain part of Serbia. Koçeku responded publicly, saying that territorial claims against Kosovo are incompatible with Serbia’s democratization.

The MP argued that change in Serbia cannot be measured solely by the departure of President Aleksandar Vučić if new political forces continue to oppose Kosovo’s independence. She said the Serbian Student List must show that it is genuinely changing its political mindset and narrative by breaking with nationalism and territorial claims.

Koçeku described recognition of Kosovo as the starting point for a new democratic approach between the two countries. She also called for acknowledgment of responsibility for war crimes in Kosovo, including the killings of civilians, disappearances and sexual violence.

She stressed that the rights of Serbs in Kosovo and Albanians in Serbia must be protected. In this context, she raised concerns about the administrative deregistration of Albanians’ addresses in the Preševo Valley.

Koçeku’s response was shared by Romana Vlahutin, who presented it as a message from the new generation of Albanians to Serbia’s student movement.

Fehlinger-Jahn also voiced his support. He is the chairman of the Austrian Committee for NATO Enlargement and has announced that he intends to run for president of Austria in the 2028 election.

The debate brought a sensitive regional issue back into focus: whether new democratic movements in Serbia will also change Belgrade’s policy toward Kosovo, or continue its traditional positions.

Koçeku insists that Serbia’s democratization must be accompanied by a clear change in policy toward Kosovo, respect for its sovereignty and guarantees of minority rights in both countries.