Are you Kurti?

Take some time to read it and think for yourself. Maybe it’s not quite what we’ve been sold by the daily news – maybe there’s more work in the shadows than noise on the screens.

A long journey from work that was felt in the pocket of the citizen, in the dignity of the passport, in the lights of the houses, to the spirit of the state in the north.

Kosovo that moves: today our passport enters Schengen without a visa. This is not just news, it’s a feeling: on January 1, 2024, the promise that opened Europe to us with 90 days of freedom in every 180 days became a reality. Also, the abolition of reciprocal visas with Israel was signed – another window opens. (Migration and Home Affairs)

Better standard of living: after 13 years of stagnation, the minimum wage was doubled to €350 gross (from October 1, 2024), affecting especially private sector workers (now for 2025, it wants to increase it to €500). Not words – law and date. (kosovotwopointzero.com) For the family, the child scheme and maternity initiatives became a reality as early as 2021 and were expanded: now there are monthly child allowances and significantly higher payments for mothers after childbirth (from €170 to €325.9 for 6 months for the unemployed, an increase of over 90%). These are not spots – they are decisions that affect hundreds of thousands. (Telegraph)

The economy moving forward: We ended 2024 with a 4.4% increase according to the World Bank; unemployment decreased to 10.8% (2024) according to KAS; meanwhile, foreign investment flows (FDI) reached €816 million in 2023. These are figures that show direction – not coincidence. (World Bank Open Data)

Energy – from crisis to transition: the first national tender for 100 MW solar was successfully closed, with a winning price of €48.88/MWh – a clear signal for an open and competitive market. In 2024, the first special Law on Renewable Energies was also approved. In addition, MCC’s compact with the US is bringing large batteries (170 MW / ~340 MWh) to stabilize the grid – the largest project of its kind in the region. This is nothing but “green talk”; it is energy security and saving imports. (Renewables Now)

Citizenship in the north, not just rhetoric: for the first time after two decades, the distribution and billing of electricity in the four municipalities in the north was normalized – through the contracts between Elektrosever, KEDS and KOSTT – and the sending of bills actually started. It is a big step for the rule of law in practice, not in statements. (energy-community.org)

Safety and dignity: KSF and security were strengthened with real plans – from gradual budget increases to Bayraktar drones, local munitions and cooperation with allies. It is a consistent course, articulated publicly this spring. (Reuters)

Digital State: e-Kosova was expanded with hundreds of services, which are now performed online – from certificates, fines and taxes, to new verification services. The e-Governance Strategy 2023-2027 has laid the foundations for modern and open administration. (westernbalkans-infohub.eu)

Youth as a priority, not as a slogan: “SuperPuna” and the Youth Guarantee started with the aim of quick employment and subsidizing the salary for the first job. These policies, along with overall growth, are part of the reason unemployment rates have fallen. (Super Puna)

Fight against corruption – improvement in CPI: Kosovo improved in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) in 44 points in 2024 (range ~73/180), upward trend compared to 2023. Not just narrative – numbers. (https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/kosovo)

Securing financing for businesses – Kosovo Credit Guarantee Fund: has expanded the portfolio (up to 731.8 mln € loans enabled for MSME until September 2024), facilitating access to finance for production, services and agribusiness. (https://westernbalkans-infohub.eu/documents/2024-enlargement-package-key-findings-on-kosovo-related-to-the-knowledge-economy/)

and many, many more…

Now, why did they tell me so convincingly: “This is the best government after Kosovo”? That gave meaning to the word “equality” with minimum wage and universal social scheme; that he returned the dignity of the movement with Europe; that it shifted the energy from dependency to self-sustainability of the “green”; that in the north it acted as a state and not as a spectator; that you laid digital foundations for the administration; and that, despite the criticism inherent in a democracy, he kept his focus on the public interest and not on the bargains of the day. Yes, there is still a lot of work, but the direction is clear and measurable, with dates, with laws, with investments, with results.

• Reuters
• AP News
• Reuters