Politicians don't change their discourse even after thousands of euros in fines
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1 months ago
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Thousands of euro fines imposed by the Electoral Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP) for the use of hate speech and incitement by political parties at electoral rallies did not curb this discourse.
During their campaign speeches, politicians - in addition to making promises - did not spare accusations and criticism of each other, which cost them thousands of euros in fines.
Vullnet Buqaku from the Kosovo Democratic Institute (KDI) says that over half of the ECAP fines for political parties were issued solely for the use of inappropriate language at election rallies.
"Despite the fact that there is a high number of fines imposed by the ECAP regarding the use of offensive and hateful language, it seems that this has not manifested any inhibition or even prevention of candidates or political entities from using or even attacking and attacking candidates and other opposition opponents during public rallies," he emphasizes.
The Director of the NGO Network "Avonet", Kenan Gashi, emphasizes that the penalties of the Electoral Panel for Complaints and Submissions for the use of hate speech by political parties have been low.
"The sentences that the Panel has given have sometimes been worrying, the low level of sentences, despite these levels and this measure that they have taken... to raise the level much higher than they have imposed, despite this, the ministers and the prime minister have not stopped such an action and this is very worrying for us. But what is more worrying is that they have not taken much into account the form in which the measures have been taken by an independent institution," he says.
Gashi says the use of hate speech and incitement in this campaign is concerning.
"It is very worrying how the language has been used, the communication with the public, often this communication and this public discussion has created incitement and hatred... In other elections, in other campaigns, there has not been such a thing, there has been more stability or a much different direction, and what is more interesting, the opposition parties used it at that time, but a party that is in power to use such language is surprising, it is surprising, and what is most interesting is that we are talking here about the prime minister and ministers who are of the highest level," Gashi emphasizes.
The campaign for the February 9 elections began on January 11 and was characterized by accusations from those who intend to lead the government for the next four years.
The fines from the ECAP began in the first days of the campaign, following complaints it received from political entities.
The Election Complaints and Appeals Panel has imposed fines of up to 43.2400 euros for public entities that have committed violations of the code of ethics for three weeks of the election campaign. The LDK received the most fines with 113500 euros, followed by the Vetëvendosje Movement with 11500 euros, the Democratic Party with 87 thousand euros, and the AAK with 69.700 euros.
