Serbs in the north: If LLS doesn't participate in elections, the legitimacy of contesting elections

However, they say that expectations of the Serbian List, which has official Belgrade's support to participate in the elections are real, in light of recent developments under the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue in Brussels, as well as the principled reconciliation of the parties with the European Union's proposal for normalisation of relations.

Kosovo authorities say they will provide all conditions for free and democratic elections in all four municipalities in the Serb-run north: Northern Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposaviq and Zvecan.

The extraordinary elections for the heads of four municipalities in the country's north, as well as for municipal municipalities in Leposaviq and Zvecan, which were announced to be held on December 18th last year, have been postponed with President Vjosa Osmani's decision, following Western partners' demands.

At the time, 11 candidates from four political subjects were certified for mayoral elections, of which only two candidates were from the Serb community ranks. Also, 64 candidates from three political subjects were certified for the mayoral festivals of Leposaviqi and Zvecan.

The Serbian list had refused to participate in this election. It was a warning that even Serbian voters would not respond to voter turnout.

CEC: new applications from political subjects to be accepted
The Central Election Commission says it has already set deadlines for activities, as well as adopted the operational plan for organising the 23 April elections.

Valmir Elez, the CEC spokesman, says that with this institution's decision, the previously certified candidates, “could be confirmed by political subjects for the 23 April elections, without having to apply from the start”.

In addition to the process of confirming certificate candidacys, the CEC will accept new applications from political parties, independent candidates, civic initiatives or coalitions”, says Elesi.

He adds that the deadline for submitting applications by political subjects is from March 9th through March 18th.

The election campaign period will run from April 4th to April 21st.

Rasp: Kosovo did everything, depends on Serbian List
Free Europe Radio has turned to the Government of Kosovo with the question of whether it will commit to ensuring security conditions for holding the April 23rd elections, as well as the positive electoral atmosphere.

In a written response from the Kosovo prime minister's office, the responsible “institutions will do all that is required to provide and provide the conditions for maintaining and managing free and democratic elections in these four municipalities”.

Minister for Communities and Kthim Nenad Rassic says that Serb List participation in the election would be a signal for voters in the country's northern municipalities that Belgrade formally approves the election exit. Sending such a signal, according to him, would mean that official Belgrade supports positive approach to dialogue in Brussels and the spirit of reconciliation the parties have expressed regarding the EU's proposal for normalisation.

“I think that Kosovo, for the first of all, has done everything in its power to have democratic elections. If they refuse to accept the Serbian List in this case, they will only prove that they are here only to block the processes, prevent and in fact not use the mechanisms for democratisation, but those mechanisms will be used for hostage”, Raspic says.

The participation of the Serbian List in elections and invitations to Serb voters in northern Kosovo to be part of the election process, according to Minister Rassic, should be the least Brussels should seek and expect from official Belgrade.

Free Europe Radio has been addressed to the Serbian List with the question of whether it will participate in the April 23rd elections and what are its conditions for participating in this election. But until the publication of this text, there has been no response. / REL