• EU welcomes government’s decision on funding RTK (RTK)
• LDK: LVV is taking credit for process it blocked three times (media)
• Parties still undecided on coalitions (Koha)
• Haradinaj: No red lines with Albanian parties, we won’t support Kurti govt (Klan)
• KIPRED: Politicians keep escalation rhetoric alive in interethnic relations (Koha)
• AKR will run as part of LDK list in December 28 general elections (Lajmi)
• Osmani visits US soldiers at Camp Bondsteel for Thanksgiving (media)
• Kurti: Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans (media)
• Kosovo didn’t apply to Interpol; Serbia aims Regional Bureau (Koha)
• Tensions in transition of power from Albanians to Serbian List in Zvecan (media)
• Spiropali: Hague process risks becoming a historical injustice (Express)
• Sanctions fail to stop Kremlin disinformation spreading in Kosovo and Albania (PI)

EU welcomes government’s decision on funding RTK (RTK)

The Office of the European Union in Kosovo has reacted following the decision of the government of Kosovo to fund Radio Television of Kosovo (RTK), describing the decision as an important step for the uninterrupted functioning of the public broadcaster. "Today’s decision of the caretaker government of Kosovo resolved the funding issues of RTK for 2025, while also ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the public broadcaster in the first months of 2026. This is a very welcome development that enables RTK to continue serving the public interest," the EU Office’s reaction stated.

LDK: LVV is taking credit for process it blocked three times (media)

The Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) reacted on Thursday through a media statement to what it calls Vetevendosje’s “latest campaign of political deception” regarding the process of transferring Prishtina Municipality’s own-source revenues. According to LDK, LVV is attempting to claim credit for a process that “itself blocked three consecutive times.”

LDK stated that official documents clearly show that on May 21, June 12, and June 27, 2025, the transfer of own-source revenues failed because LVV assembly members voted against it. This action, it says, paralyzed payments for essential services and harmed the normal functioning of the capital.

According to LDK, after months of deliberate obstruction, Vetevendosje is now presenting itself to the public as if it has “unblocked” a process it had previously hindered. LDK emphasized that it has defended Prishtina’s financial stability in every session, while accusing Vetevendosje of systematically acting against people's interests for partisan goals. “The citizens of Prishtina should know: those who now speak big words were the ones holding the capital hostage. Those who caused delays and financial risks are now trying to hide behind propagandistic confusion.”

Parties still undecided on coalitions (Koha)

With only three days left before the deadline for declaring pre-election coalitions, major political parties in Kosovo have not yet finalized any agreements, though discussions remain open.

Vetevendosje intends to maintain its cooperation with Guxo and Alternativa, while PDK is open to forming a broad coalition aimed at securing Bedri Hamza as the next prime minister. PDK insists that any coalition would still run under its party name. LDK holds a similar stance, requiring partners to run under the LDK banner, and has held talks with Nisma, though no deal has been confirmed. AAK has stated it will run alone.

Political analyst Artan Muhaxhiri says that harsh political discourse has made cooperation difficult, and that Vetevendosje’s election result will shape post-election dynamics: under 30% would force compromises, 50% would allow solo governance, and anything in between could prolong political deadlock.

Parties must declare their coalitions by Sunday at 16:00.

Haradinaj: No red lines with Albanian parties; we won’t support Kurti govt (Klan)

The leader of the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK), Ramush Haradinaj, stated that his party has no red lines with any Albanian political party. “We have no red lines and have never had any with any Albanian political party. But we will not support a Government 3, 4, or 5, whichever it may be, we will not support it. This is the difference. I hear other leaders saying they have no red lines, but they need to clarify whether Kurti 4 or 5 is a red line for them.”

“So, we have no reason to have red lines toward any Albanian political party. But do not forget that we will not support a Kurti 4 or Kurti 5 Government,” Haradinaj said.

He also mentioned the nomination of Albin Kurti as the prime ministerial candidate by Vetevendosje, noting that both Kurti and Glauk Konjufca previously failed to secure enough votes in the Assembly to form a government after the February 9 elections. “I saw this nomination of Kurti by Vetevendosje for prime minister, which is their right. But there was symbolism in the fact that both nominees failed to get enough votes in the Assembly to form a Government, and now one was nominating the other,” Haradinaj stated.

AKR will run as part of LDK list in December 28 general elections (Lajmi)

The New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) will run as part of the list of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) in the December 28 general elections, AKR leader Vesel Makolli told the news website on Thursday. “Yes it is true. This afternoon I met with [LDK leader Lumir] Abdixhiku, and we agreed to be part of their list. We made this decision after analyzing the political situation and following suggestions by our president Behgjet Pacolli,” Makolli said. He also said that the agreement between the two parties will be signed next Tuesday. “Until then we will agree on the details of the agreement,” he said.

KIPRED: Politicians keep escalation rhetoric alive in interethnic relations (Koha)

Based on the analysis that KIPRED conducted of social-media posts made by political parties, it results that out of 101 posts published by Vetevendosje, the party used a hardline tone in 61 of them and stigmatizing language in 2 others. PDK had 22 posts analyzed, 19 of which had a hardline tone. In LDK’s case, 15 out of 19 posts were polarized. According to the study, the most polarizing language, however, was used by Serbian List. Out of 147 posts analyzed, none contained conciliatory language; 111 had a hardline tone, while 11 used stigmatizing language.

The study concludes that a small group of political actors amplifies tensions, particularly during crises, despite generally stable everyday coexistence between communities. Media in both Albanian and Serbian have improved their professionalism, but coverage remains heavily focused on security, crises, and elite politics, rather than on daily interethnic cooperation. A public opinion survey shows that most of the people view interethnic relations and reconciliation as important, but trust in media and political actors remains low. The study recommends that institutions and political leaders adopt responsible public communication, avoid inflammatory rhetoric, support minority rights, and publicly affirm the work of civil-society actors involved in reconciliation.

Osmani visits US soldiers at Camp Bondsteel for Thanksgiving (media)

All news websites reported that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani visited US soldiers at Camp Bondsteel for Thanksgiving on Thursday. “Honored to once again join U.S. soldiers at Camp Bondsteel for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is, at its core, a reminder to give thanks for blessings seen and unseen, for friendships that endure, and for the faith that guides us through uncertain times. And today, we give thanks to them for their service, their sacrifice, and for the enduring friendship between our countries. Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends!” Osmani wrote in a post on X.

Kurti: Happy Thanksgiving to all Americans (media)

Most news websites reported that Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti said in a post on X that he had the pleasure of hosting the Chargé d’affaires of the United States, Anu Prattipati, and her team for a Thanksgiving lunch earlier this week. “In only its second year, this gathering is becoming a cherished tradition, one we look forward to continuing for many years to come. We remain deeply grateful to the United States for its historic contribution to our freedom and for the growing strength of our partnership today, reflected this year in the removal of tariffs on U.S. products, close coordination in foreign affairs, and meaningful advances in our defense cooperation,” Kurti said.

Kosovo did not apply to Interpol; Serbia aims Regional Bureau (Koha)

Kosovo did not apply for Interpol membership again this year, while Serbia announced that it will formally seek to host the Regional Bureau for Southeast Europe in Belgrade. Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said the country has secured wide regional support for this initiative and continued lobbying against Kosovo’s Interpol bid during the 93rd General Assembly in Morocco.

Kosovo’s Foreign Ministry did not comment on why it did not reapply or on Serbia’s initiative. Former Interior Minister Bejtush Gashi criticized Kosovo’s lack of a clear diplomatic strategy, arguing that Serbia is gaining institutional advantage and regional influence while Kosovo remains strategically marginalized.

Kosovo last applied for Interpol membership in 2018 but failed to secure the required two-thirds majority. Since then, it has avoided reapplying due to insufficient support, compounded by Serbia’s active lobbying against its membership, despite the Brussels Agreement prohibiting such obstruction.

The potential opening of an Interpol Regional Bureau in Belgrade could strengthen Serbia’s position in regional policing, raising concerns about Kosovo’s involvement, given Serbia’s non-recognition of its statehood and past hostile actions.

Experts warn that Kosovo’s non-membership limits its effectiveness in fighting transnational crime, complicates arrests of wanted persons, and increases strategic asymmetry with Serbia. Political dynamics, geopolitical divisions, and Serbia’s sustained lobbying continue to hinder Kosovo’s path toward Interpol membership.

Tensions in transition of power from Albanians to Serbian List in Zvecan (media)

In Zvecan, tensions have arisen during the transition of power from the outgoing Albanian mayor, Ilir Peci, to the newly elected mayor from Serbian List. Peci reported that their initial meetings lacked a cooperative atmosphere. When the new mayor entered his office to prepare invitations for convening the new municipal assembly, disagreements quickly emerged. According to Peci, the first set of invitations contained major errors: they lacked the reference “Republic of Kosovo” and were written mostly in Serbian, with very little Albanian. The responsible ministry rejected the documents as unacceptable, and even the second version still had deficiencies. The final approved version was eventually stamped by Peci.

He also described another tense moment during the handover, saying the new mayor expected him to immediately vacate the chair, questioned the office’s arrangement, and criticized the absence of certain photos, leading Peci to react.

Spiropali: Hague process risks becoming a historical injustice (Express)

Albania’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Elisa Spiropali, said on Thursday that the trial against former KLA leaders in the Hague risks becoming a historical injustice and distorting the truths about the war in Kosovo. She said that “the victim cannot be turned into an aggressor and the aggressor into a victim”. She made these comments during a visit by Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani to Shkodra on the occasion of November 28 – Independence Day in Albania.

Spiropali also highlighted Albania’s support for Kosovo and the importance of cooperation, adding that the two governments have managed to transform the border from a historical division to a sustainable bridge of cooperation. 

Sanctions fail to stop Kremlin disinformation spreading in Kosovo and Albania (PI)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was followed by sanction packages targeting state-controlled Russian media platforms. Several Balkan countries—including Kosovo and Albania—decided to block access to Kremlin-controlled outlets, however Kremlin’s information tactics have continued to penetrate the region, with disinformation now reaching audiences through alternative channels.

Kosovo and Albania remain among the most pro-NATO and pro-EU states in the region, meaning a rapid shift in geopolitical orientation is unlikely. However, Russian disinformation can still reshape public perception about other international issues.

“If over 50% of Ukraine-related news has unidentifiable sources, this means our citizens are being served an alternative reality. We have also discovered partial translations of international media—such as Gardam—where Albanian versions contain only Kremlin-aligned messaging, excluding other perspectives,” explained Visar Prebreza, editor at the fact-checking platform Krypometri.

He notes that disinformation has already shaped public opinion on several domestic issues.

In Albania, experts say citizens remain poorly prepared to detect sophisticated disinformation patterns.

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