Kosovo Serbs divided ahead of elections

All the others -- the Independent Liberal Party, the Party of Kosovo Serbs and the coalition of Democratic Progressive Partys, the New Party in Kosovo and two civic initiatives of independent candidates named „Sloboda” (“Liberty”) ♫ „do not want to work for the unity of the Serbian National Corps and in co-operation with official Belgrade”, claims Vuciqi's SNS party.

Belgrade's assessments of the Serbian List have always been accompanied before elections with fierce criticism of candidates and other parties, to the intimidation and great pressure on voters. Things have culminated in the murder of two northern Mitrovica mayoral candidates: Dimitrije Yanijevic and Oliver Ivanovic.

In the ranks of the Serbian List, Ivanovic's former party „Liria, Democracy, Justice” (SDP), which means that this subject has joined those whom Ivanoviqi has been targeted as “tradhary” and Serbia's <x5 human user”. While Serbian List Deputy Chairman Milan Raojic is sought by security authorities, under suspicion of involvement in Ivanovic's murder.

„The big sin”, “turp” are just two of the many reactions of Kosovo Serbs, following the publication of news that Ivanovic's SDP will now join the Serbian List. While President Vuciq and Serbia's representative for Kosovo, Marko Djuric, say current SDP leader Ksenija Bozovic, is a “serious and intelligent wife”, which is “defined for Serbia's state policy towards Kosovo”.

Distinctions

But immediately after news of joining the Serbian List, divisions have begun in the SDP. Dusan Milunovic and Igor Rajcik have accused Ksenija Bozovic of unilateral action and against the will of the party's voters.

We are all concerned with Ksenija Bozovici's decision“, Milunovic tells DW. „As far as other SDP members are concerned, we are trying not to burden them. We want each to decide in his own opinion, although the absolute majority thinks there is no room for this kind of cooperation.“The SDP has major problems even with hierarchy, because not two years after Ivanovic's assassination, the new party leadership has not been elected. Therefore, it is believed there will be even more serious divisions among representatives of this party for Ivanovic's legacy.

Currently, it is unknown who is the official representative of the party. Bozovic and Vuciq say the majority has decided on co-operation with the Serbian List, while others claim otherwise. Currently, nobody is able to speak in precise numbers about how many people have supported SDP co-operation with the Serbian List.

Milunovic claims that he and Reljiq will not join the Serbian List and continue with efforts to implement their policy at the local level. While Ksenija Bozovic has not yet responded to our requests for conversation.

Favorites for Choices

The October 6th elections will be held following Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj's surprise resignation, due to his invitation as a suspect at the KLA Special Court for Crimes. Many political parties and subjects have not been prepared for this news and these elections. But many analysts think there may also be changes in power and that other subjects can be introduced into the government. There have been many negotiations even between the two major parties -- the Democratic League of Kosovo and Vetevendosje -- but they have failed to agree to a pre-election coalition. The coalitions between two major Albanian subjects could bring a sufficient majority, which cannot be conditioned by Serb MPs.

Many analysts think that the LDK and Vetevendosje can make a coalition and that these subjects can create the new government, but that depends on the outcome of the October 6th elections. Twenty parties, four coalitions and an independent candidate have been presented for participating in the elections. / DW/