Bochsler: Kosovo remains a taboo subject in Serbia, no party openly speaks about its independence

Daniel Bochsler, an expert on Serbian politics, said that Kosovo’s status continues to be treated as a taboo issue in Serbia. He also commented on the differing positions within the student movement, which achieved success in the parliamentary elections against Aleksandar Vučić’s party.

In an interview with the Swiss outlet Watson, Bochsler, who has studied Serbian politics for more than 20 years, said it was extremely difficult to find a Serbian political entity that would publicly express support for Kosovo’s independence.

Bochsler also spoke about the relationship between the student movement and Serbian nationalist circles. According to him, during the protests, people were seen carrying flags bearing inscriptions and symbols portraying Kosovo as part of Serbia.

Despite this, he emphasized that the student movement had managed to leave many candidates known for their strong nationalist positions off the electoral list.

According to his explanation, this was made possible through the right of veto, which student councils at universities and faculties used during the candidate-selection process.

“The issue of Kosovo is a political taboo in Serbia. You will not find a party in Serbia in which someone openly speaks about Kosovo’s independence,” Bochsler said.

The expert said that the veto had produced relatively good results within the student movement by preventing a large number of nationalist candidates from being included on the electoral list.

He added that, ultimately, the most prominent representatives of both political wings operating within the movement were also removed from the list.

However, it is still unclear what the concrete position of Serbia’s new government toward Kosovo will be, as the student movement includes groups with different ideological orientations.