The return of the left in Kosovo politics and the possibility of changes amid international ingerence
Session
Political Science
Description
Besides the changes in the international position of Kosovo after the end of the war in 1999, the international-led efforts to transform the social-economic environment in post-war Kosovo reflected in domestic politics. In the last two decades, political science analysis have pointed out that as a result of international ingerence the left-wing in Kosovo has faced years of stagnation. After the 2021 elections, when Albin Kurti was elected Prime Minister and his party, Vetëvendosje! (LVV), was perceived as a growing force in Kosovo politics, many have argued that the left is again an important player in Kosovo politics, which brings the possibility of changes in the country. However, the first months of the government reveals that the expected animosities faced challenges, especially regarding the relations with internationals. Considering the described scenario, the aim of this paper is to discuss the left-wing politics in Kosovo since the end of the war in 1999. From interviews, parties and social movements declarations and documents, as well as using journalistic sources, our aim is to answer the following question: given the current international status of Kosovo and its perceived pro-Western orientation, the newly emerged left represents a possibility of consolidating a new agenda for the country? We argue that, given the international position of Kosovo, the left agenda is constrained by international conditions. The paper is divided into two sections. In the first place, the author discusses the consolidation of left-wing movements and its agendas in post-war Kosovo from a historical approach. The second section proceeds to discuss the current relations among the left and the other parties and social movements, as well as the relations with internationals. We expect to contribute to understanding how international ingerence has been affecting the left’s movements and agendas in Kosovo politics.
Keywords:
Kosovo politics, left-wing, International Relations
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-47-5
Location
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Start Date
30-10-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
30-10-2021 12:00 AM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2021.264
Recommended Citation
Rosa, Victória Perino, "The return of the left in Kosovo politics and the possibility of changes amid international ingerence" (2021). UBT International Conference. 275.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2021UBTIC/all-events/275
The return of the left in Kosovo politics and the possibility of changes amid international ingerence
UBT Kampus, Lipjan
Besides the changes in the international position of Kosovo after the end of the war in 1999, the international-led efforts to transform the social-economic environment in post-war Kosovo reflected in domestic politics. In the last two decades, political science analysis have pointed out that as a result of international ingerence the left-wing in Kosovo has faced years of stagnation. After the 2021 elections, when Albin Kurti was elected Prime Minister and his party, Vetëvendosje! (LVV), was perceived as a growing force in Kosovo politics, many have argued that the left is again an important player in Kosovo politics, which brings the possibility of changes in the country. However, the first months of the government reveals that the expected animosities faced challenges, especially regarding the relations with internationals. Considering the described scenario, the aim of this paper is to discuss the left-wing politics in Kosovo since the end of the war in 1999. From interviews, parties and social movements declarations and documents, as well as using journalistic sources, our aim is to answer the following question: given the current international status of Kosovo and its perceived pro-Western orientation, the newly emerged left represents a possibility of consolidating a new agenda for the country? We argue that, given the international position of Kosovo, the left agenda is constrained by international conditions. The paper is divided into two sections. In the first place, the author discusses the consolidation of left-wing movements and its agendas in post-war Kosovo from a historical approach. The second section proceeds to discuss the current relations among the left and the other parties and social movements, as well as the relations with internationals. We expect to contribute to understanding how international ingerence has been affecting the left’s movements and agendas in Kosovo politics.