In these elections, the diaspora vote was once again confirmed as decisive for the Vetëvendosje Movement, bringing it additional mandates and directly influencing the composition of the Assembly. Meanwhile, opposition parties lagged significantly behind in terms of support from the diaspora, prompting discussion about their relationship with citizens living outside Kosovo.
In the June 7 elections, the Vetëvendosje Movement emerged as the leading force with 42.96 percent of the vote and secured 53 seats in the Assembly. Although it remains the largest party, it has four fewer mandates than in the December elections, when it won 57 seats.
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The Democratic Party of Kosovo ranked second with 21.13 percent of the vote and is expected to have 22 lawmakers, maintaining the same number of mandates as in the previous legislature.
As the third political force, the Democratic League of Kosovo received 17.60 percent of the vote and secured 18 seats in the Assembly, three more than in the December elections.
The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, which has recently also been presenting itself simply as the Alliance, won 7.16 percent of the vote and is expected to have seven lawmakers, one more mandate than in the previous legislature.
Guxo member Luan Gacaferi, in a statement to Bota Sot, said the diaspora played a decisive role in deepening Albin Kurti’s victory in the June 7 elections.
According to Gacaferi, the diaspora supports Kurti because it sees him as a defender of state interests, while the opposition has failed to win its trust because of rhetoric and attacks directed at the diaspora.
He believes this approach has backfired on the opposition like a “boomerang,” producing a negative effect both among the diaspora and among citizens living in Kosovo.
“It is true that the diaspora influenced the expansion of Mr. Kurti’s victory in the June 7 elections, because the diaspora sees Kurti as the man who protects Kosovo’s interests and not personal interests!
The diaspora has no interest other than the interest of the state, therefore they are neither sold nor bought!
Opposition parties have failed with the diaspora because they pay ‘analysts’ to go out every night and insult and label the diaspora with the most vulgar expressions possible!
Through its analysts, the opposition has tried to mobilize its militants by portraying the diaspora as a danger to the state of Kosovo and the number one danger to citizens residing in Kosovo!
Quite simply, this incitement by their analysts against the diaspora has boomeranged not only from Kosovo citizens in the diaspora, but also from Kosovo citizens living in Kosovo themselves, which is why they have failed shamefully,” he told Bota Sot.
On the other hand, political analyst Zejnullah Jakupi stressed that diaspora support for the Vetëvendosje Movement is tied to a combination of political, social and emotional factors.
In a conversation with Bota Sot, he said many members of the diaspora perceive LVV as a force that represents change, the fight against corruption and an alternative to traditional parties, which have been criticized for a lack of reforms and ineffective governance.
“The diaspora vote for the Vetëvendosje Movement cannot be explained by just one factor, but by a combination of political, emotional and social reasons. For many citizens outside Kosovo, LVV has managed to create the image of a new political force that represents change, the fight against corruption and a break from the traditional parties that have dominated the political scene for years.
Part of the diaspora sees LVV as an alternative to the old political elites, which have often been criticized for corruption, lack of reforms and insufficiently addressing economic and institutional problems. For many emigrants, who live in countries with higher standards of governance and transparency, these issues carry great weight,” he said.
Jakupi also said the opposition has failed to build a sustainable connection with the diaspora, as it has often engaged with it only during election campaigns.
According to him, the Vetëvendosje Movement has been more successful in conveying messages of justice and change, while traditional parties need to work harder to build trust with the diaspora, which now constitutes an important political factor in Kosovo.
“On the other hand, opposition parties may have failed to create a more sustainable connection with the diaspora. Often, their relationship with the diaspora has been seen more as electoral mobilization during election periods than as a long-term partnership. The diaspora does not seek only to vote, but to feel part of decision-making and the country’s development.
Another factor is political communication. LVV has been more successful in building a narrative connected to justice, equality and change, themes that have resonated especially with part of the younger diaspora. Meanwhile, traditional parties have often continued with messages and organizational models that have not adapted sufficiently to the reality of the diaspora.
However, the diaspora is not a politically uniform group, and support for a party can change over time. For opposition parties, the main challenge remains building trust through a more continuous approach to the diaspora, not only during election campaigns. In the end, the diaspora vote shows that it is now an important political factor and can no longer be treated as secondary support,” Jakupi concluded to Bota Sot.
