A political controversy has erupted in Switzerland after reports revealed that Swiss lawmaker Christian Imark used material provided by the Serbian Embassy while criticizing Kosovo during a parliamentary debate on the future of Swiss troops serving in the NATO-led KFOR mission.
The debate took place as the Swiss Parliament voted to extend the mandate of Swiss soldiers in Kosovo until 2029. Switzerland, despite not being a NATO member, continues to support peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo through its participation in KFOR and is expected to play an even greater role as NATO reviews troop levels in the region.
However, Imark, a member of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, opposed the continuation of the mission and argued that Kosovo Serbs were allegedly facing human rights violations in northern Kosovo.
According to reports from Swiss media, including the respected newspaper NZZ, Imark’s claims were based on documents distributed by Serbian Ambassador Ivan Trifunović to SVP parliamentarians ahead of the parliamentary session.
The controversy has raised questions about the influence of Serbian lobbying efforts in Switzerland and the use of diplomatic channels to promote narratives regarding Kosovo’s internal affairs.
Meeting with Serbian Political Representatives from Northern Kosovo
Imark was also reportedly present at a meeting in Bern with Jovana Radosavljević, a political figure from northern Kosovo who was a candidate of the Serb List in Kosovo’s most recent elections.
During presentations in Switzerland, Radosavljević reportedly accused Kosovo’s government of violating the rights of Kosovo Serbs, claims that were later repeated by some SVP politicians during discussions in parliament.
Critics argue that such presentations ignored broader realities in Kosovo and relied heavily on narratives promoted by Belgrade.
Long History of Anti-Albanian Rhetoric
Imark’s political party, the SVP, has long faced criticism for its hardline positions on immigration and its campaigns targeting foreign communities, including Albanians living in Switzerland.
Several figures associated with the party have previously faced legal consequences for racist statements directed at Albanians and other minority groups.
Swiss media have frequently reported on anti-Albanian rhetoric originating from sections of the SVP and publications closely aligned with the party.
Imark’s Record of Controversial Statements
Christian Imark is no stranger to controversy. The Swiss politician has repeatedly attracted criticism for inflammatory language directed at political opponents.
Recently, he described Switzerland’s Social Democratic Party of Switzerland as a “socialist cancer,” a remark that sparked outrage across the political spectrum. Although he later deleted the statement, the incident reinforced his reputation as one of Switzerland’s most provocative political figures.
On another occasion, Imark warned a government minister that people could take to the streets and demand more than just her resignation if certain policies were not reversed.
Such language is widely regarded as unusual in Switzerland’s traditionally moderate political culture.
Kosovo Continues to Enjoy Broad Support in Switzerland
Despite the activities of a small number of politicians, support for Kosovo remains strong among major Swiss political forces.
The Social Democratic Party has consistently backed Kosovo’s independence and has been among the strongest voices against racism and discrimination targeting the Albanian community in Switzerland.
Former Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey, who played a significant role during the period surrounding Kosovo’s declaration of independence, remains one of the most recognized Swiss supporters of Kosovo on the international stage.
Political observers note that attempts to portray Kosovo through Serbian government narratives have found only limited support within mainstream Swiss politics, where Kosovo continues to be viewed as an important partner for regional stability and European integration.
