Serbian parties ready for co-operation with new government

One of these subjects says participation in the new government is guaranteed by the Constitutions, meanwhile, other subjects estimate that making the new government is a chance Kosovo Serbs should not let go.

However, Albin Kurti, leader of the Vetevendosje Movement, which as the first party with the most votes in the 6 October elections, claims the prime minister post and forming the new government, has said the Serbian List must go into opposition and that for the post of minister from the Serbian community, it will first talk with other Serb parties.

Igor Simun, deputy chairman of the Serbian List and host of the election list of this political subject in the October 6th parliamentary early parliamentary elections in Kosovo, tells Radio Free Europe that his political subject has won elections in the Serb majority environments and already has the right to be guaranteed with all legal acts in Kosovo, to propose members for the Government of Kosovo.

“Synimation to abolish the rights of the Serbian people and instead of legal and legitimate representatives in Government, Pristina to introduce more acceptable Serbs, is contrary to all legal acts and the Constitution, and presents the same error as having been made by Serbs in the '90s, taking them to appropriate Albanian institutions. That government would be unconstitutional, as well as such behaviour would show the true face of political leaders, who have their mouths full of rule of law”, Igor Si enemies said.

He has added that it would be cynical for someone who has won 26 per cent of his community's votes to question the position of the Serbian List, which has received 96 per cent of the Serb community's votes. Also, according to him, the position of representatives of the Serbian List has been entrusted to the people by vote, and they do not expect it as a gift from everyone.

And we don't like supporters of the Albanian-great idea either, but we can't choose who the Albanians will represent, because for which we have our neighbours put”, S individual said.

Slobodan Petrovic, leader of the Independent Liberal Party, believes that after counting votes, this political subject will manage to enter the Kosovo Assembly. He tells Radio Free Europe that it is open to any kind of co-operation with the future government, which would lead to a more quality life, first of all, of the Serb community, but also of all other citizens of the country. He emphasises that his party, now several years ago, has committed itself to co-existence and resolving citizens' problems at the local level. For Kurt, he points out that he is a person who adheres to his attitudes and believes that he will be even more so.

There have been many activities that are known to all. After all, we as a party have collaborated with all political parties in the Assembly. Some things we disagreed with, but relations were correct, both with others and with Kurti. I believe he will remain faithful and principled as he has so far. I emphasise, the role in power and opposition is nothing. I expect that there will be many challenges, but also results, which are already known in the way that citizens have wanted to see change. To what extent and percentage will that be, there is no response to”, Petrovic said.

He has added that he is sure that in the future government there will be changes when it comes to the minister's position, in which until now they have been representatives of the Serbian List. He expects that they will no longer be able to behave as they have been so far, that positions, as he said, will be exploited for personal or party purposes, but for general interest.

Nenad Rassic, hosting the coalition list “Liria”, says representatives of the Serbian List have been destructive to Kosovo institutions and that they have misused Kosovo Serbs, stressing that their activity in institutions has been of personal character, with benefits being only individuals.

According to him, in recent elections, citizens of the Albanian community “have seen the historic prospect for Kosovo” for the reconstruction of institutions, because they have voted for two persons (Albin Kurti of the Vetevendosje Movement and Vjosa Osmani of the Democratic League of Kosovo), who, according to him, are the unintended “”. The involvement of Kosovo Serbs in the decision-making process, according to him, is the strongest point in which his concept matches that of Kurti.

“I think it is a big case not only for Kosovo Albanians, in the sense that they have acquired a structure that is not tarnished, but also for Serbs who through the communication process, negotiations and co-operation with Kurti and Osman, we could create an authentic Kosovo political Corps, which would carry and assume responsibility for all that is happening. So far we've only been silent observers of our fate and this is the chance that this will change”, Rassic said.

He has added that, in effect, they have stated that the life of Kosovo Serbs is most important and only through institutional action, with the strengthening of Serbs in Kosovo institutions, with adequate representation of people who are oriented for common living, for reconciliation and dialogue, can survive in Kosovo. Rassic considers that the coalition he represents could be a factor that would bring a new level of representation and a new level of responsibility within Kosovo institutions.

Votes in early parliamentary elections in Kosovo are still subject to recounting.

The European Mission, which has monitored the election process, has positively assessed this process, but with caution that the environment, in which election campaigns in Serb-inhabited areas have been held, has been violated through intimidation, which had to be targeted by candidates and supporters who have not met the Serbian List.

The new Kosovo government, which the Vetevendosje Movement and the Democratic League of Kosovo are talking about, despite Albin Kurti's stance, would have to have a post of minister for the Serb community and one for other minority communities. The minister's post for the Serb community would have to receive the formal support of Serbian deputies in the Kosovo Assembly.

The Serbian List votes, unlike in the past, are not crucial for the formation of the new Kosovo government.