18-year-old Anesa Hyseni is studying mechatronics at the University of Prishtina. On February 9, she voted for the first time. She views voting as an opportunity to influence the country’s future.

“There is a certain power you feel when you have the right to vote and can make a decision for your country,” Hyseni said. She eagerly awaited this moment, envying peers in countries where young people can vote before turning 18, like Austria or Greece. For her, voting is not just an individual act but a collective responsibility that impacts society as a whole.

When deciding who to vote for, Hyseni prioritized policies for education and social issues that are proposed by political parties. The history of the competing parties also plays an important role in her decision. “The past actions of political parties are a key factor for me. If a party has not kept its word, then it has no credibility,” Hyseni said.

Throughout the election campaign, which began on January 9, Hyseni followed party programs primarily through television, social networks and advertisements that appeared on her phone. She noticed a serious issue, which troubled her — this campaign, in her view, has been dominated by hate speech across debates between parties and candidates.

Hyseni believes that young people should have a stronger voice in decision-making in politics. She considers youth participation in political parties important but doubts parties’ willingness to truly embrace young voices, as they do not provide sufficient space for them.

“We are the future, but it is equally important that our views are taken seriously,” she said. Hyseni is one of over 125,000 young people who turned 18 between the 2021 and 2025 electoral cycles. She voted for the first time in these elections, which determine who will govern the country for the next four years.

Hyseni’s criticism of a lack of youth involvement in politics is supported by a 2024 study on youth in Kosovo, published by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES). According to the study, youth participation in politics remains very low, whether through membership in political parties, participation in protests or engagement in civil society.

FES’ findings indicate that the majority of young people are not politically active and maintain a detached stance toward political processes and elections. Additionally, participation in politics and civic initiatives ranks among the least important values for them.

In Kosovo’s last elections, in 2021, 45.6% of young people surveyed in the study — and who were eligible to vote — participated in the elections. Despite this relatively high turnout, the majority of young people remain disengaged from political activities beyond voting.

This highlights political parties’ lack of innovative approaches to engage young people in politics. Most parties rely on traditional methods of engagement, each maintaining a youth forum that remains active beyond election periods through political actions — though some limit their activities to year-end parties or football tournaments among themselves.

Only 2% of young people FES surveyed feel well represented in national politics, reflecting a high level of disappointment and distrust in state institutions and the political elite. According to the study, distrust in Kosovo’s institutions and lack of political representation are among the key factors driving young people’s increasing desire to migrate.

Many, disillusioned and lacking hope for political change, have chosen — and continue to choose — migration in search of a better and more secure life and career. This situation is a warning for the future of the country, demanding urgent measures to retain Kosovo’s youth by improving conditions and providing them with opportunities for professional and personal development.

When it comes to voter motivation, according to the FES study, more young people are guided by the party leader than ideology or electoral programs. Approximately 19% of respondents cited party ideology, electoral programs or aligning with family and friends as their influences. The party leader remains the most influential factor in their decision-making, with around 28% of respondents identifying it as their main reason for voting.

Regarding political preferences, the study indicates that a large portion of young people voted for Vetëvendosje (VV) in the 2021 elections and have expressed a willingness to vote for the party again. For the three first-time voters K2.0 spoke with, the key issues influencing their decision on who will represent them are employment, education and healthcare.

What determines the youth vote?

For 18-year-old Elsa Bejta, casting her first vote is not just a formal act but a responsibility that she will fulfill with emotion. “Voting is a right and an opportunity to influence the future of my country,” she said, emphasizing the importance of participating in this process.

Bejta believes that every vote matters and that, through voting, young people can become agents of change in society. She views voting as a way to not only demand action but also to hold politicians accountable. “I would like candidates to be held more accountable for their promises,” she said. Bejta, who is in her final year at Xhevdet Doda High School in Prishtina, chose who to vote for based on issues that directly impact her life and that of other citizens.

“Economic development, education, healthcare and government transparency are the main factors that will influence my vote,” she said. To stay informed about the election campaigns, political promises and the electoral process, Bejta consulted various sources. She followed political debates to better understand electoral programs, preferring not to engage directly in political discussions.

One of Bejta’s main concerns is the electoral process’ integrity and the possibility of voter fraud. “I want to believe that my vote will be counted honestly and that the process will be fair,” she said. Like Hyseni, Bejta expressed a degree of distrust in the electoral process.

One specific issue makes Bejta doubt the integrity of the electoral process. “The fact that there are still deceased people on the voters list is very absurd and disturbing,” she said. This concern further heightens her uncertainty about the electoral process and raises doubts about the accuracy of the vote-counting system.

Nora Bekteshi, who is also 18, shares the same concerns about electoral integrity. She is a first-year student majoring in web and mobile applications development and will also be voting for the first time. She sees this experience as a mix of emotions.

As a young voter, Bekteshi has serious doubts. “I am concerned about the transparency and credibility of the electoral process. It makes me feel very insecure and hesitant,” she said. The electoral process in Kosovo has repeatedly faced challenges, particularly during the vote-counting phase. For example, in the early parliamentary elections held on October 6, 2019, as well as those on February 14, 2021, a significant number of votes were recounted.

These ongoing issues appear to have contributed to young people’s growing distrust of Kosovo’s electoral system. However, they may paint a picture bleaker than actual reality. While irregularities in electoral processes persist, the mechanisms for a recount of votes help ensure that, in the end, votes are counted properly.

Bekteshi feels insecure and overwhelmed by the abundance of often contradictory information that circulates through the media and within her family circle. This makes it challenging for her to form an independent opinion in an environment where opinions are shaped by multiple influences.

During the electoral campaign, media space — including social media platforms — flooded with election-related content. Media coverage is often overshadowed by advertisements from political parties and candidates, as well as content produced by their supporters. Meanwhile, the prevalence of misinformation and disinformation makes it even more challenging to access accurate information needed for an informed vote.

Political education for young people is, for Bekteshi, essential to reduce uncertainty and encourage greater active participation in elections. Despite her uncertainty, she places greater importance on policies and programs that directly impact citizens. She believes that political parties must be clearer and more accountable for their promises, offering concrete and feasible solutions to the major challenges facing society.

“My decision to vote will be influenced mainly by the political programs of the parties, especially their plans for economic development, their commitment to human rights and equality, non-discrimination based on intersectionality, creating new job opportunities for young people, increasing the minimum wage and improving education. These issues directly affect everyday life,” she said.

Meanwhile, beyond the distrust in the electoral process, Hyseni sees low trust in the political system as one of the biggest challenges — a sentiment shared by many young people who often feel disillusioned by politicians’ unfulfilled promises.

From the FES study, political engagement is directly linked to the quality of institutions and politics in Kosovo. Many young people feel let down by the lack of meritocracy and the perception that social and political connections outweigh skills and competence in achieving success.

As part of a generation that represents the future of the country, Bejta believes that young people play a key role in shaping society but often feel that their voices are not heard enough. According to her, fostering greater youth engagement requires increased transparency in the electoral process and more opportunities for young people to participate in decision-making.

Feature Image: Dina Hajrullahu/K2.0

Where does my first vote go?

K2.0 spoke with young women who cast their votes for the first time.

Uran Haxha

Where does my first vote go?

K2.0 spoke with young women who cast their votes for the first time.

Uran Haxha