Episode 286: The Current Political Landscape in Kosovo with Serbeze Haxhiaj

Coordinated and Produced by Elisa Garbil

In this episode we explore the evolving political landscape of Kosovo with Serbeze Haxhiaj. We discuss the questions of ethnic identity, economic opportunity, and minority integration and their continuation to shape Kosovo’s future. Find out more about how media narratives influence public perception, the positive role of civil society, and the challenges facing EU-brokered negotiations. From frozen conflicts and international risks to the growing frustration of Kosovo’s younger generation, this episode sheds light on the hopes and hurdles defining one of Europe’s most complex regions.

Serbeze Haxhiaj has been working as an investigative journalist and news editor in Kosovo and for international media for over 19 years, dealing mainly with the most pressing issues such as corruption, human rights, security issues, religious extremism, terrorism and war crimes.

Haxhiaj is currently an editor at Radio Television of Kosovo and a journalist of the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). She has previously worked for the daily newspapers Rilindja, Zeri, Lajm and Koha ditore, was the correspondent in Pristina of the French Courrier des Balkans, and worked for 5 years as a specialised researcher for the Navanti Group, an American research and analysis institute.

For reporting on war crimes, organised crime, corruption, human rights and violence against women, Haxhiaj has been awarded 12 twelve times by various local and international organisations. She holds master degree in International Law.

The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical volatility and organised crime, to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you’re a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.

Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe’s leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe’s leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe’s business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today’s business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.

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Transcript:

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Serbia is not a democratic country, and the authoritarian regime of Aleksandar Vučić is producing tension not only in Kosovo, but also in Bosnia and in Montenegro as well.

Elisa Garbil: Welcome back to the International Risk Podcast, where we discuss the latest world news and significant events that impact businesses and organizations worldwide.

Dominic Bowen: Hi, I’m Dominic Bowen, and I’m the host of the International Risk Podcast, where we unpack the topics that matter today. The political, regional, and security situation in Kosovo remains tense and complex, characterized by ongoing tensions with Serbia and political deadlock domestically. Today we’re joined by Serbeze Haxhiaj. Serbeze has been working as an investigative journalist and news editor in Kosovo and for international media for over 19 years. She has reported on corruption, human rights, security, religious extremism, terrorism, and war crimes. She’s currently [00:01:00] an editor at Radio Television of Kosovo and a journalist with the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.

In our conversation today, we hope to gain insight into the rise of ethnic conflict within Kosovo and relationships with neighboring countries. Serbeze, welcome to the International Risk Podcast.

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Thank you, Dominic. Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure.

Dominic Bowen: Serbeze, where are you today? What location are you joining us from?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: I’m at home, waiting to start my work shift at Radio Television of Kosovo. As I’m preparing to go to work, a lot is happening. We’re waiting to see if the country will finally manage to form a government after almost nine months of political deadlock.

Dominic Bowen: Yes, it’s a very interesting point. Kosovo continues to face political challenges. Divisions among political parties have delayed forming a new government since the February [00:02:00] legislative elections. And although Kosovo now has an assembly and has had one since October, its legitimacy is contested, and some members—including those from the Serb minority—are challenging even its formation. Can you help us understand the current political landscape in Kosovo today?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Two weeks ago, we completed local elections, which were particularly important for the northern part of Kosovo. Since 2022, Serb mayors, as well as police officers, judges, and prosecutors, boycotted Kosovo’s institutions and left their positions. After three years, we’re now seeing the beginning of normalization. General elections—supported by Belgrade—took place, and new mayors in the north have received their mandates. They are expected [00:03:00] to take office in November or early December.

The judicial and prosecutorial systems are also waiting for judges and prosecutors who previously resigned to return to their positions. It’s unclear when exactly this will happen, but it is expected within the next two or three months, despite calls from the Serbian side for another political agreement in Brussels.

As you know, for more than a decade, Kosovo and Serbia—under EU facilitation—have been engaged in dialogue that has produced very little progress toward normalizing relations. Tensions remain; sometimes things seem calm, and then tensions rise again. It’s often driven by political interests—nationalist rhetoric used as a political tool. Much of this tension is fueled by Belgrade. Serbia is not a democratic country, and the authoritarian regime of Aleksandar Vučić produces tensions not only in Kosovo, but also in Bosnia and Montenegro. This continues to shape the political and ethnic landscape in the Balkans. Serbia remains a hub of political and ethnic tension in the region.

Dominic Bowen: And you mentioned Serbia, which is very important, because Serbia continues to contest Kosovo’s sovereignty. Serbia refuses to recognize Kosovo as an independent state and continues to support Serbian communities in northern Kosovo, including their institutions and in some cases militias.

The EU and UN continue advocating for normalized relations and improved dialogue between Belgrade and [00:05:00] Pristina, but progress has been slow. Can you help us understand the relationship between Serbian minority communities living in Kosovo and the central government?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Since the government changed in 2021, there have been setbacks in the integration of the Serbian community. The Kosovo government has been pushing to dismantle Serbia’s parallel structures and to strengthen Kosovo’s sovereignty, particularly in the north. This has produced tensions and sometimes contradictory messaging regarding integration.

The Serbian community in Kosovo—especially outside the north—has always been caught between two sides. Kosovo pushes for integration and loyalty to state institutions, while Serbia pressures them politically and uses them as tools to maintain influence and block integration. This creates fear, insecurity, and a sense of not belonging fully to either side.

Every day I speak with Serbian residents in the north, and many describe feeling like they belong nowhere. Serbia uses them politically, and Kosovo pressures them to integrate. This dynamic has not always worked in their favor, and it challenges Kosovo’s constitutional obligation to ensure integration and protect minority rights.

Dominic Bowen: I wonder about younger generations in Kosovo—those with no memory of the war in the late nineties. How important is ethnic identity today, especially compared to economic opportunities, jobs, education, or EU integration? What matters most to younger people?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Ethnic identity remains extremely strong among all communities—Albanians and Serbs alike. Economic opportunities and future prospects often come second. Since the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia, political elites on all sides have kept nationalism at the center of their agendas. This continues to shape reality.

What worries me is that younger generations—who did not experience the war—are becoming more nationalistic than those who lived through it. They are more vulnerable to political propaganda in both Kosovo and Serbia. Neither country has dealt with its past properly, and this failure has created a bitter reality. Without confronting the past, nationalism persists and even grows.

So what concerns me most is that younger generations increasingly express nationalist sentiment, not only in Kosovo and Serbia, but across the former Yugoslav republics. This is dangerous for long-term peace and normalization.

Dominic Bowen: Very interesting, Serbeze. Thanks for explaining that. I wonder where this is originating. How are domestic political parties in Kosovo using the issue of Serbia in their campaigns? Is nationalist rhetoric a strategic vote-getter, or are voters showing fatigue with ongoing confrontation?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: It’s mostly about votes. In Kosovo’s political landscape, opposition parties often accuse the government of nationalism or discrimination against minorities. But when it comes to practical decisions—such as electing the Assembly Speaker—these same parties refuse to support candidates from the Serb community, even though the constitution requires one deputy speaker to be from a minority community.

So on one hand they accuse each other of nationalism; on the other, they behave the same way. What’s worrying is that no political party is ready to openly commit to fulfilling obligations from the Brussels Agreement and the Ohrid Annex—especially regarding the Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.

They have created a vicious circle where they accuse each other, yet all feed nationalistic discourse for political gain.

Dominic Bowen: Thanks for unpacking that. Another area where this discourse can grow is in the media and on social media. What role do Serbian and Albanian media outlets, as well as social networks, play in shaping perceptions, mistrust, and tensions? Are there credible alternatives to counter misinformation?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: The situation is very grim. Over the past two years, Kosovo and Serbian media have been flooded with disinformation—much of it originating from Russia, Serbia, and China. It’s not only fake news; it is systematic propaganda aimed at sowing fear, undermining trust in democratic institutions, and fueling hatred.

This aggressive reality was clearly visible during the February general elections, which saw numerous incidents and extremely high political tension. Media outlets across the region amplify disinformation and hate speech, dehumanizing the “other” and making communities more vulnerable to conflict.

Authorities have been weak in responding to this. Media organizations and institutions alike have failed to create effective counter-narratives. This is a problem not only in Kosovo but across the Balkans.

Dominic Bowen: Are there examples of successful Albanian-Serbian cooperation—at municipal, civil society, or community levels—that could serve as templates for progress?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Yes. Civil society is the brightest example. Most of the meaningful cooperation—whether on missing persons, memorialization, victim recovery, or reconciliation—comes from civil society initiatives supported by the international community.

These efforts give hope that things can change for the better. But they rarely come from state institutions; they come almost entirely from civil society organizations working together and giving voice to victims and families.

Dominic Bowen: That’s positive. And yes—where there is risk, there are often opportunities for progress.

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Absolutely. Many of the most hopeful initiatives—on missing persons, transitional justice, and reconciliation—come from civil society. These efforts create space for dialogue and understanding, even when political institutions fail to do so.

Dominic Bowen: Thank you for sharing that, Serbeze. And to our listeners, remember you can now watch the International Risk Podcast on YouTube—please subscribe.

Serbeze, after more than a decade of EU-brokered negotiations between Kosovo and Serbia, does the public still believe the Brussels dialogue can achieve meaningful outcomes, or has it lost legitimacy?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: My answer is somewhere in between. It hasn’t completely lost legitimacy, but it hasn’t gained strength either. After more than a decade of dialogue, many people in Kosovo and Serbia have little faith in its effectiveness. People often look to larger powers—particularly the United States—to resolve the issue.

Recently, there was an interesting U.S. initiative expected to go before the Senate, aimed at opposing border changes or territorial exchanges in the Balkans. If passed, it could help silence voices advocating for partition as a solution. This would reduce fear and stabilize expectations.

But U.S. engagement in the Balkans has been limited in recent years. Many people doubt whether the EU alone can deliver a final agreement. The dialogue produces technical agreements, but not core solutions. As a result, Kosovo and Serbia remain trapped in a kind of frozen conflict, with no clear prospect for resolution.

Dominic Bowen: From a Kosovo perspective, what would a realistic and stable peace actually look like? Mutual recognition? Functional coexistence? Pragmatic separation?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Kosovo’s objective is full recognition and normalized relations. Serbia shows no willingness to move toward recognition. The EU requires normalization before either country can join, but the situation remains far from that final destination. Personally, I don’t see recognition happening soon unless the U.S. becomes more assertive in pushing for a final agreement.

Dominic Bowen: Thank you. When you look around the world today, what international risks concern you the most?

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Being part of Europe, our primary concern is the conflict in Ukraine and Russia’s attempts to destabilize Europe. Russia has been very successful, especially in the Balkans, which is fragile. Bosnia remains unstable; Kosovo-Serbia relations remain tense. Around 5,000 NATO troops are still in Kosovo to maintain peace.

As long as NATO is here, I don’t see an open conflict, but the frozen conflict and recurring tensions are enough to keep people fearful about the future. Russian propaganda is also very effective in fueling insecurity across Europe.

Since 2022, every country has been increasing arms purchases—drones, artillery, heavy weaponry. It’s impossible not to feel the impact of this war beyond Ukraine’s borders.

Dominic Bowen: Yes, we have to be aware of this. Russian influence is evident—from critical infrastructure attacks in Norway, Germany, and the UK, to breaches of European airspace in Romania and Poland. We’ve spoken with several guests from Serbia and Kosovo because we see the risks as highly significant. Both local tensions and foreign influence present challenges.

Serbeze Haxhiaj: In Kosovo, there is growing frustration toward EU policy. Many feel the EU treats Serbia more softly because it wants to keep Serbia close. Serbia is the only country in the Balkans that has not imposed sanctions on Russia, yet the EU continues to engage gently with Belgrade.

Meanwhile, Kosovo has faced restrictive EU measures since 2021—even though it has tried to meet its obligations and de-escalate the situation in the north. People see this as a double standard.

At the same time, the EU has been reluctant to support or even comment on the large protests in Serbia by students and opposition groups. Many in Kosovo view this as the EU protecting Serbia’s leadership for geopolitical reasons.

This has created frustration, especially among young people in Kosovo, who feel the EU is not sincere about addressing Serbia’s increasingly authoritarian behavior. Serbia is not a democratic country, and it has long been aligned with Russian policy. Yet the EU does not speak openly about this reality.

Dominic Bowen: Thank you for explaining that, Serbeze. I appreciate your insight and thank you for joining us on the International Risk Podcast today.

Serbeze Haxhiaj: Thank you so much, Dominic. It was a pleasure.

Dominic Bowen: That was a very insightful conversation with Serbeze Haxhiaj, an investigative journalist and news editor in Kosovo with nearly 20 years of international media experience. I appreciated her thoughts on rising ethnic tensions, regional relationships, and the international risks involved.

Please subscribe to our email newsletter for our biweekly updates—find the button on the International Risk Podcast website. Today’s podcast was produced and coordinated by Elisa Garbil, and our [00:25:00] YouTube and social media content was produced by Stephen Penny. I’m Dominic Bowen, your host. Thanks for listening. We’ll speak again in the next couple of days.

Elisa Garbil: Thank you for listening to this episode of the International Risk Podcast. For more episodes and articles, visit internationalriskpodcast.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, BlueSky, and Instagram for the latest updates and to ask your questions to our host, Dominic Bowen. See you next time.