In the Assembly of Kosovo, the representation of non-majority communities is regulated through special quotas. These quotas are a mechanism to ensure that these communities are represented in the Assembly and promote equal participation in the country’s political processes.

However, non-majority communities are still underrepresented. Their participation in decision-making processes remains neither visible nor direct, with quotas often being used merely to fill numbers rather than genuinely committing to representing people’s needs and interests.

This lack of active participation can be due to a lack of information, political education and real opportunities to influence political processes. These factors can lead to a feeling of exclusion and the perception that individuals have a meaningful role in political life. For the Roma community, political activism is extremely important for ensuring representation and protection in society. By participating in political processes, individuals can help shape the policies that serve their interests and fight against discrimination and prejudice. This participation is a step towards diversity and the inclusion of all groups in society, contributing to building a fair and pluralistic environment.

A Roma citizen’s entry into politics

In Kosovo, political quotas are often used for personal gain. These quotas are used to secure electoral support, exploiting community representation for personal purposes. This practice deepens divisions and creates a sense of discrimination among members of the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities, leading to more social tensions and divisions.

Likewise, some politicians from non-majority communities view politics solely as a competition to secure reserved seats. Many of these individuals lack the preparation and intention to understand political processes or utilize them for the benefit of their communities. Failing to differentiate between personal aspirations and community needs, their engagement in politics risks tarnishing politic’s image, discouraging younger generations from participating and eroding confidence in political power as a tool for change.

The lack of proper representation of the Roma community in political positions stems from several complex factors. One is the political division and rivalry between parties, which can hinder young people’s inclusion in politics. The intense competition and concentration of power among certain individuals in smaller Roma parties exacerbate this.

Another factor is the lack of integration of qualified and engaged individuals into Roma politics. It appears that some Roma parties are nominating candidates with no political experience because they perceive them as easier to control and manipulate to achieve their objectives.

This tendency to elect individuals with no political experience can lower the standards for integrity and objectivity in Roma politics. This fosters a lack of credibility among candidates and makes it difficult to ensure fair and credible representation for our community in local and national politics.

Under these circumstances, entering Kosovo’s political scene as a Roma individual can be a doubly difficult challenge. Therefore, before deciding to enter politics, it is important to deeply understand the challenges and expectations you will face on this difficult path and prepare to overcome them.

The role of a politician from the Roma community demands a profound awareness of the responsibilities it entails. It is crucial to uphold principles and values, even amidst challenging circumstances. By addressing sensitive issues and advocating for a fresh and inclusive approach, you can become a key figure in bringing about positive change for your community.

In particular, by upholding integrity and prioritizing substantive discussions, you can become a powerful voice influencing representation and addressing the needs of the Roma community in politics. In this manner, the reserved quota policy can serve as a tool to enhance your community’s engagement in society and facilitate significant improvements in the everyday lives of the Roma in Kosovo. This is particularly critical in a country where the daily lives of Roma in various sectors, such as education, health and employment, pose significant challenges and demand determined commitment to change.

From my political perspective, Roma politicians who are part of the Assembly and the government serve as political administrators. In our language, we call them administrators since they do not have full access to politics. The representatives of the Roma community in the Assembly of Kosovo and in the government are often presented more as administrators than as active leaders in politics. They are mainly engaged in managing administrative tasks and implementing policies, lacking the time and opportunity to represent and influence the larger policies that impact the life of the Roma community. This can lead to a feeling of exclusion from the main decision-making processes and a lack of full representation of the needs and interests of the Roma community in debates and policies that matter to society at large.

The political representation of Roma in Kosovo has been undertaken by civil society, which has played an important role in representing the Roma community in politics, education, culture and social welfare. Through the implementation of various programs and initiatives, civil society has worked side by side with the Roma community to improve their situation in Kosovo over the last two decades.

The level of work and influence of civil society organizations highlights the need for more coordination between civil society and the political representatives of the Roma community. This includes a greater focus on dialogue and joint actions to represent and advance the rights and the Roma community’s quality of life.

In conclusion, to ensure that the right people hold political positions within the Roma community, it is essential to have a continuous commitment to improving the political infrastructure and building the necessary capacities to support potential candidates. Additionally, we must work on strengthening trust and internal support for politics within the Roma community, encouraging individuals with the ability and will to serve and represent their interests and those of the community as a whole in an honest and responsible manner.

Feature Image: Majlinda Hoxha / K2.0.