Serbian parties, opposition initiatives in the north surrender before Serbian List

Radojevic is former deputy minister of Kosovo's Internal Affairs.

Kosovo's Democratic Party candidate Florent Azemi and Vetevendosje Movement Erden Attic are also in the race. All four have already applied for certificate at the Central Election Commission. The deadline for application is closed Friday at 6:00.

The extraordinary elections in this municipality are scheduled for November 29th, as the mayor's country has remained empty since June, when Goran Rakic was appointed deputy prime minister of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo and Minister of Local Power.

There are conditions for free and fair elections

Other parties and Serb civic initiatives in northern Mitrovica say they are refusing to participate in a process that has a predetermined epilogue.

Allexander Jablanovic, who heads the Kosovo Serb Party (PKS), told Radio Free Europe that they cannot participate in the elections without the conditions for free elections being met. According to him, the winner is already predetermined.

“The elections are being organised as if they were a secret and that no one else can attend except the Serbian List”, Jablanovic said.

He cites the fact that in the past, members of his party have faced consequences only because they have opposed the Serbian List. And despite having exercised indictments, he says no single case has been resolved so far.

“Therefore, it should be provided above all security and freedom of voting in this election and not to use such methods, including intimidation, the removal of people who worked for 10,20 or 30 years, then burning vehicles, etc. This proves there is still no security”, Jablanovac said.

One person votes in the October 6th early parliamentary elections.

One of the main opposition parties in northern Mitrovica, in the last local elections in 2017, was the SDP-Oliver Ivanovic Civic Initiative. But neither this subject, which has already lost its leader, Oliver Ivanovic, after the January 16th of 2018, will take part in the November 29th elections. Ksenija Bozovic, deputy chairman of this subject, told Radio Free Europe that conditions have not been created for free elections.

The process has not changed. It's been three years since we had a mayoral candidate. Unfortunately, a political murder occurred and has not been clarified so far”, Bozovic said.

On the other hand, the Serb List did not want to comment on the circumstances about these elections.

Representatives of civil society organisations in northern Mitrovica estimate that the lack of alternatives to the ballot is the result of citizens' fatigue. Veroljub Petronic, a security affairs researcher, told Radio Free Europe that this is happening because of two factors.

The first “, for democracy, meaning voter fatigue, which has led to disinterest. On the other hand, this lack of interest is deeply linked to the attitude of people that Mitrovica does not care much about the future”, Petronic said.

Serbian citizens demand more options

Free Europe Radio has talked to several North Mitrovica citizens, who largely favour that more candidates are on the poll list.

Zorica Jovanovic from Northern Mitrovica said he expects better future for younger generations, but does not like the fact that there will be few candidates.

There's got to be people who are educated, who have a complete faculty, who protect the people. They must be more candidates. At least six should be. But as a people we can do nothing”, she said.

Her fellow citizen Verica Rakochevic estimates that citizens expect changes.

But if we only have one candidate, then it's a matter done. Why should we vote? He's already chosen. I'm not very pleased with the people who now lead North Mitrovica, there is nothing else to say”, Rakochev told Radio Free Europe.

A citizen passing by barrier separating southern and northern Mitrovica

Lack of alternative elections for Northern Mitrovica mayor Petar Radovich reminds him of monism.

These are not choices, this is something 30 years ago when there was only one candidate. There must be at least three candidates that we can choose”, he said.

Meanwhile, Vera Meshtrovic says he agrees with any decision.

“Pres the most beautiful Mitrovica to look exactly like a city. Whatever they decide, I agree with them”, she said.

Since its founding in 2014, the Serbian List has led with the majority of Serb majority municipalities and has won most seats in the Kosovo Assembly in terms of Serbian parties.

Elections in this part of Kosovo's territory are organised by the Central Election Commission, but the success of the process is placed in charge of the Kosovo mission of the Organisation for Co-operation and Security (OSBE).

Under the law, elections in this municipality were due to be held in July, but were postponed because of facing pandemic.

Officials have not ruled out the possibility that these elections will be postponed if the number of infected ones ever again grows.

North Mitrovica Po, residents of Podujevo will vote on November 29th for the new mayor, after Agim Veliu had freed this position to lead with the interior affairs ministry.