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Kosova

Language during the pre-election campaign in Kosovo, three political parties fined

Politiko 2025-01-16 18:44:10

Language during the pre-election campaign in Kosovo, three political parties

The Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel on Thursday fined the Democratic League of Kosovo 20,000 euros, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo 12,000 euros, and the Vetëvendosje movement 3,000 euros for what it called "violations of the code of conduct" during the campaign for the February 9 parliamentary elections.

The announcement states that a candidate for MP from the Democratic League has incited hatred towards the Vetëvendosje movement by sharing a video on social media comparing the personality of Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti with the figure of Adolf Hitler.

Meanwhile, the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo, according to this Panel, has incited hatred towards Mr. Kurti through derogatory language used by the leader of this party, Ramush Haradinaj, and the candidate for MP, Ardian Gjini.

According to the Panel, Mr. Kurti used offensive and derogatory language towards the Democratic League during a speech in the city of Peja.

According to the law in force, the fines determined by the ECAP, which can reach up to 50 thousand euros, must be paid by political entities within 15 days.

All violations occurred within the first five days of the campaign for the new parliamentary elections to be held on February 9.

Vullnet Bugaqku from the coalition of non-governmental organizations "Democracy in Action", which monitors electoral processes in Kosovo, told Voice of America that a more active role for the ECAP in preventing hate speech that could also incite tensions is welcome.

"I think these decisions will be a good example for politicians or candidates for deputies or prime minister of Kosovo to become aware that during public gatherings they should not express themselves in a vulgar or rude manner towards political opponents because this reflects tensions even during the campaign and could trigger even bigger problems than have been identified so far," he said.

Mr. Bugaqku explains that the Election Law prohibits the use of such language.

"The decisions of the ECAP when imposing fines are enforceable and final decisions, there is no regular means of appeal against them because there is no second instance. However, these decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court and until this court decides, the decisions remain in force," he says.

Twenty-eight political forces, including 20 political parties, five coalitions, two civic lists and one independent candidate, will participate in the February 9 elections, where two million voters are eligible to vote, of which about 105,000 citizens outside Kosovo. VOA

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