The Role of Persons with Disabilities in the Political Decision Making Process in the Western Balkans

Abstract

This study examines the political inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) within right-wing political parties in North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Albania, by analyzing the gap between legal norms, programmatic commitments, and the actual level of inclusion of persons with disabilities in political decision-making. The application of a mixed methodology, combining the analysis of official documents, party programs and statutes, structured interviews with key political actors, and focus groups with persons with disabilities, confirms the hypothesis that the inclusion of PWDs often remains symbolic and constrained by structural, cultural, and organizational barriers. The data generated through the combination of three qualitative methods, discourse analysis, structured interviews, and focus groups, are interpreted through three theoretical perspectives: the theory of political representation, institutional and organizational theory, and the theory of political participation. The study highlights the need for organizational transformation within political parties in order to move from formal participation to substantive participation, as well as the need for a shift in the mindset of the disability community itself, encouraging persons with disabilities to view themselves not as a marginalized group, but as an important factor in reshaping political balances and influencing decision-making processes.

Received: 5 January 2026 / Revised: 20 February 2026 / Accepted: 3 March 2026 / Published: 25 March 2026