Kosovo celebrates the 18th anniversary of its independence, a historic moment when, on February 17, 2008, 109 members of parliament unanimously voted to declare Kosovo a sovereign and independent state. At that time, 11 MPs were absent, all from the Serbian community.
This year, while the majority of MPs attended the ceremonial session, the absences of two prominent figures, Adem Hoxha and Duda Balje, drew attention.
- Adem Hoxha, who had previously moved closer to the Serb List, did not attend the session, making his absence particularly noticeable.
- Duda Balje, who is not part of any parliamentary group and remains separate from the multi-ethnic group, also missed the session without providing any public explanation.
The February 17 session is festive and solemn, commemorating one of the most important dates in Kosovo’s history and national identity, and the absence of these two MPs sparked discussion among the public and media.
Even 18 years after independence, the absence of certain members of parliament during state anniversaries reflects ongoing political and ethnic divisions within Kosovo’s political landscape.
