Ever since the process of electing a new President began in Prishtina in March, attacks against Kosova Prime Minister Albin Kurti have accelerated.  Our Albanian American Civic League Board of Directors, along with everyone who cares about the future of Kosova and the Western Balkans, have found this devastating.

Kosova’s historically unique and important reality—different religions living side by side in harmony for centuries—is in danger of being dismantled, because some smaller political parties want to undemocratically seize power and claim importance on the international stage at all costs.

This is not only at the expense of Kosova, but ultimately at the expense of the Western Balkans for which, until recently, Kosova has been the leading positive force in the region.

In addition, and as the Albanian American Civic League Board has articulated many times, if Prime Minister Kurti’s rightful insistence on Serbia’s recognition before he sits down at the negotiating table with Sebian President Aleksandar Vucic is overrun, Kosova will become a failed state.  It will be chopped up, and Russian and Chinese incursion will follow.

This is why it is critical for all Kosovar political parties to put aside their feuding and personal quest for power. We urge opposition political leaders to reject the language of hatred toward one another and respect the will of the people.

After so much suffering by Kosovars over twenty years to achieve independence and freedom from Serbia in 2008, it is tragic to confront in 2026 internal dissention and at a time when Europe is under threat. Consolidation around Prime Minister Kurti and his coalition parties is paramount.