ABSTRACT
The performance of minority politics hinges upon various demands and expectations. While claiming to represent, members of parliament (MPs) do not work in a vacuum. Rather, they work against particular institutional and cultural backgrounds, which, at least in part, set up the structure of opportunities open to them. In post-conflict societies such as Kosovo, international actors, kin states and their often-conflicting peacebuilding strategies can place strong constraints on the behaviour of minority representatives. This chapter explores how Serb MPs in Kosovo’s parliament respond to the incentives and constraints they face, and whether they manage to raise their authentic voice or merely give in to the various pressures and the expectations of others. Focusing on the behaviour of Serb minority parliamentarians in Kosovo, this chapter demonstrates how local actors exploit institutional backgrounds as resources that enable them to pursue their goals. It offers a local perspective on the Serb–Albanian conflict in Kosovo and a critique of the international interventionism that tends to silence those most affected by peacebuilding strategies.
