Kosovo’s election watchdog has hit three top political parties with fines totalling €35,000 for sparking outrage during the opening days of the campaign for next month’s elections.
The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), and Vetëvendosje were all punished for breaking the code of conduct, with allegations of hate speech and personal attacks taking centre stage.
Hitler slur rocks campaign
LDK landed the biggest fine—€20,000—after one of its candidates shared a video comparing Vetëvendosje leader Albin Kurti to Adolf Hitler. AAK, meanwhile, was slapped with a €12,000 penalty for its leaders’ choice words, including comments from party boss Ramush Haradinaj and MP hopeful Ardian Gjini, which the panel deemed “denigrating.”
Kurti didn’t escape unscathed either. His fiery remarks about LDK during a rally in Peja cost Vetëvendosje €3,000.
Clock’s ticking on payments
The fines, which can run as high as €50,000 under election laws, must be paid within 15 days. All this drama unfolded in just the first five days of the campaign, with Kosovans heading to the polls on February 9.
Over two million voters are eligible, including 105,000 living abroad, as 28 political groups battle it out for seats in the parliament.
Calls for cooler heads
Election monitor Vullnet Bugaqku from “Democracy in Action” welcomed the tough penalties, calling on politicians to dial down the rhetoric.
“This kind of language fuels tensions and could lead to bigger problems. These fines should serve as a clear warning,” he said.
The law bans hate speech outright, and the fines are final unless overturned by the Supreme Court. Until then, the penalties remain in place.
