Following controversial remarks made by Serbian Minister Snežana Paunović concerning the ethnic cleansing of Kosovo, Michael Gahler, a German Member of the European Parliament and member of the European People’s Party (EPP), issued a public response. Gahler was among the first official figures to react to the statements, which drew significant international attention. In a post shared on the social media platform X, the German MEP asserted that the declarations originating from a minister of a candidate country could not be overlooked.
Specifically, Gahler referenced an interview where Minister Paunović stated that, hypothetically, she would “ethnically cleanse Kosovo of Albanians,” drawing a parallel to events in 1998. The MEP stated clearly, “These statements from a minister of a candidate country cannot be ignored,” adding that he expected the minister to step down from her current duties. His comments highlight the political gravity attached to such statements made by high-ranking officials from countries aspiring to EU membership.
The reaction from a prominent German political figure underscores the EU’s sensitivity regarding historical narratives and human rights issues in the Balkans. The immediate demand for Paunović’s resignation suggests that the European Parliament views such rhetoric as a significant breach of diplomatic standards and adherence to democratic principles.
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