Serwer: Kosovo needs political cooperation, not new elections

After the complaints filed by political entities were rejected by the ECAP and the election results were certified, the way has now been cleared for the establishment of new institutions, including the constitution of the Assembly, the formation of the Government, and the election of a new president.

Regarding this development, professor and former American diplomat Daniel Serwer expressed optimism, assessing that Kosovo has already gone through enough electoral processes and that holding new elections would not be necessary.

“You have gone through a difficult year, a difficult year and a half. I hope things will go better now. No one has benefited from the recent prolonged crisis and from three rounds of elections. I hope you will not need new elections. It seems to me that you have already tried that path and it has not worked. Now I think what you need is cooperation among the political parties, especially for the election of the president,” Serwer said.

According to him, the country will face several major challenges in the months ahead.

“Kosovo always faces the challenge of preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity, a challenge it must be able to handle on its own. Then, a major task is reaching the point where the Kosovo Security Force is the main body responsible for defending the territory. Also, I would say it is very important for Kosovo to join NATO. This is not something that should happen only in the distant future. I hope it happens soon, because the aim is for the Kosovo Security Force to be fully prepared by 2028, and for NATO membership to follow as soon as possible after that,” he added.

Asked what advice he would give to Kosovo’s political class, Serwer said that although there is much to say, the essential thing remains overcoming the current political deadlock.

“First, electing the president and forming the government as soon as possible are very important. America, too, has gone through a difficult period recently, but we can handle this, while you cannot, because we are a state with consolidated institutions, while you still are not. Second, I would advise you to prepare seriously for NATO membership and to do everything necessary to achieve this in the coming years. Third, I would advise you to do everything possible to integrate the Serb population into the institutions, as well as into Kosovo’s social and cultural life. I understand that harsh language is sometimes used toward Serbs in Kosovo, but I think that is regrettable,” Serwer said.

In conclusion, he called on political parties to sit down at the table and, through cooperation, find solutions in the country’s interest, avoid new elections, and commit themselves to Kosovo’s progress on the Euro-Atlantic path.