Wrote: Festim Rizanaj
The Serbian-language service of the Russian media, "Sputnik", has published an article with the claim that the pre-election campaign of the Vetëvendosje Movement, led by Albin Kurti, is linked to the idea of "Greater Albania".
The article by the Russian media in Serbian is titled: "Vetëvendosje's pre-election campaign: Kurti 'embraces' the flag of Greater Albania."
This article interprets the display of Albanian national symbols during campaign activities as an “embrace” of this idea by Kurti.
However, no evidence is provided that Kurti's campaign is linked to the idea of "Greater Albania" and, throughout the campaign, he has never mentioned national unity.
How did this narrative come together?
This narrative began with media reports claiming that Albanian flags were present at a Vetëvendosje Movement rally in South Mitrovica, while a flag was also mentioned that the media outlet identified as a symbol of “Greater Albania”. This is the flag that represents the ethnic borders of Albanians and contains images of Ismail Qemali and Isa Boletini. This flag first became known during a football match between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade in 2014. The incidents and tensions that arose from the match escalated into greater political and ethnic tensions.
Based on this symbol, some Serbian media (here, here) have reinforced the narrative that attempts to link the Vetëvendosje Movement campaign to the idea of “Greater Albania,” although there is no evidence directly linking this flag during recent campaign activities.
Electoral rally in Mitrovica
On January 12, 2025, on the second day of the campaign for the February 9, 2025 elections, the Vetëvendosje Movement organized an electoral rally in the city of Mitrovica. During this rally, among the symbols present, the previously mentioned flag was also seen, which Serbian media reported on, linking it to the “Greater Albania” narrative.
During his speech at the electoral rally, Kurti did not mention "Greater Albania" or national unity at any point. (here)
Among other things, the candidate for prime minister of the Vetëvendosje Movement, Albin Kurti, during his speech at the electoral rally, criticized the parties that have led in the past and mentioned, according to him, the achievements of the Kurti Government in North Mitrovica during its four years of governance.
"We have added almost twice as many jobs as they did in 8 years. For each year we have added 1 billion euros to the economy, while they needed three years to reach 1 billion. We are three times faster than them in terms of economic growth, and four times faster in terms of employment. We work harder, we move faster," Kurti said.
He added that in northern Mitrovica "there is no longer and will never be the rule of criminal gangs, the circulation of illegal license plates, the erection of barricades and the production of cryptocurrencies."
The “Greater Albania” narrative is often used by Serbian-language media and Serbian officials to criticize or portray as a threat any event, celebration, or initiative that they interpret as an attempt to unite Albanian territories into a single state. This narrative appears particularly in contexts related to Albanian national symbols and identity.
Moreover, this narrative is often present during events that symbolize the strengthening of Albanian-Albanian ties, such as national holidays, commemorations, and official meetings aimed at improving relations and cooperation in the region. (see here, here, here and here)