Hibrid.info monitored the information environment, analyzing the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and influence operations on social media in the period before and during Kosovo's local elections. This report presents a summary of the principal findings from research conducted in the lead-up to and aftermath of the 12 October 2025 elections, identifying the tactics and actors that shaped the dissemination of misleading content and divisive narratives across the digital space.
The local elections in Kosovo were held on October 12, 2025, with numerous candidates contesting local offices. The electoral process unfolded in a highly charged political atmosphere: citizens turned out to vote while media outlets and monitoring organizations observed developments to ensure transparency and integrity.
However, the elections were also marked by a substantial wave of information disorder, particularly on social media and other online platforms. Unreliable content, fake news and unfounded narratives shaped public perceptions of candidates and political parties, distorting debates on issues of public interest.
This report examines the spread of these mis/disinformation campaigns, the mechanisms used to construct narratives, and the roles played by both domestic and external actors, in order to understand their impact on local democracy and citizens' trust in institutions.