Why Kosovo’s controversial insurgent party worries the West so much

The results of Kosovo’s 11 June 2017 general election were a huge surprise: Vetëvendosje ('Self-determination'), up to now a small opposition party, won 32 seats, making it the largest party in parliament.

What are the background and beliefs of this party?

The author concludes that Vetëvendosje’s success should be welcomed by those who support people power and progress in Kosovo. That so many representatives of Western democracies have sought to isolate and demonise the party is a shameful indictment of their priorities, and evidence of their complicity in the persistent misrule that Kosovo has endured. But this latest election has made clear that the era of apathy is over – and that marginalising Vetëvendosje is no longer an option.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Kosovo’s ‘war wing’ coalition wins parliamentary vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovos-war-wing-coalition-wins-parliamentary-vote/

ESO: Key source: Kosovo Parliamentary Election, 11 June 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/kosovan-parliamentary-election-2017/

ESO: Background information: The political crisis in Kosovo – the growing resistance to a deal with Serbia http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-political-crisis-in-kosovo-the-growing-resistance-to-a-deal-with-serbia/

Wikipedia: Vetëvendosje https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vet%C3%ABvendosje

The Guardian, 12.06.17: In Kosovo, too, there’s a future for a leftist party of economic and social justice https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/12/kosovo-leftist-party-social-justice-vetevendosje

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