This paper examines the power dynamics behind labelling peace spoilers. It explores who is authorised to name threats to peace and security by analysing political discourse as a “technology of power” (Foucault, 1978: 12). By delegitimising the Other as a spoiler, this aims to further legitimise the speaker as the credible authority to define what is being threatened (peace and security) and by whom (spoilers). Focusing on Kosovo and Serbia, this paper analyses how Kosovo Prime Minister, Albin Kurti, and Serbian President, Aleksandar Vučić, employ a practice of de/legitimisation through discourse, bringing additional attention to the role that the audience plays in this process, namely the UN and domestic audiences. Methodologically, the paper conducts a Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of speeches made by the political actors to international and domestic audiences to highlight the power relations embedded within spoiler discourse. Doing so contributes to understandings of post-war power dynamics by interrogating how threats to a peace process are identified and who is assumed to be authorised to name these threats.
