As Kosovo Votes, Public Accountability Takes a Backseat

Kosovo’s leaders, from government to opposition, avoid debates and open scrutiny, raising alarms about transparency and accountability during a critical election season for the young democracy.

As Kosovo enters the frenzied countdown to its February 9 parliamentary elections, the political stage is ablaze with controversy. On January 11, prominent journalist Jeta Xharra, a bastion of independent journalism in the Balkans, delivered a fiery on-air rebuke of political parties, particularly the ruling Vetëvendosje (VV) movement, for their refusal to participate in televised debates¹. Her message was clear: democracy thrives on transparency, accountability, and open discourse. Yet, as the campaign gains momentum, the governing party and opposition alike appear to be retreating from these principles, casting doubt on their commitment to public engagement.

The origins of this debacle can be traced to a reported VV’s decision to boycott debates aired on outlets they deem as “oligarch-owned” or biased. In her televised address, Xharra, known for her fearless scrutiny of power structures, emphasised that the debates are a production of BIRN and Internews Kosova, both internationally re…