At a Crossroads, Kosovo’s Vetevendosje Ponders Change of Strategy

Movement driven by protests from the start:

Shqipe Pantina, Kosovo MP of Kosovo's biggest opposition party Vetevendosje, in 2016, tries to pass the tear gas can to her colleagues as police officers try to escort her during the extraordinary session to elect Hashim Thaci as the country's new President, February 26, 2016. Photo: EPA-EFE/ Valdrin Xhemaj. EPA/VALDRIN XHEMAJ

On June 12, the Vetevendosje Movement, LVV, will stage a citizens' march in Pristina's main Skanderbeg Square to mark the 15th anniversary of its organisation - and the 21st anniversary of Kosovo's liberation from Serbian rule in 1999.

"From June 10, 2020 to June 17, 2020, the 'Movement Week' is being held," Kurti announced on Facebook on Saturday, adding that this "annual" event was a "tradition".

Kurti did not otherwise urge citizens to protest, although this was the very reason for the establishment of Vetevendosje, but reminded them of the ongoing process of gathering signatures demanding new elections.

Vetëvendosje, which means "self-determination" in Albanian, was founded on June 12, 2005, on the anniversary of Kosovo's liberation.

That day, a group of youngsters led by Kurti took to the streets of Pristina, chanting: "No Negotiation! Self-Determination! [for Kosovo]".

They were protesting against the UN administration in Kosovo, UNMIK, installed in 1999, which then controled much of national life; it was only the beginning of Vetevendosje's many protests.

In February 2007, Vetevendosje activists led protests against the plan of the UN Finnish diplomat, Marti Ahtisaari, to resolve Kosovo's status, which the LVV claimed gave too much away to the Serbian minority.

Their protest ended with the deaths of two activists,...