“Current situation does not allow organising elections in northern Kosovo”

According to the organisation, the situation in northern municipalities, northern Mitrovica, Leposaviq, Zvecan and Zubin Potok is fragile.

These elections are scheduled to be held on April 23rd, following their postponement in December last year, at the request of the international community.

The world, for elections in the north, has applied 11 candidates who have also been valued for the April elections, reports Radio Free Europe.

The Serbian list ʹ the largest party of Serbs in Kosovo has refused to participate in the elections until the fulfillment of two requirements: the formation of the Serb majority municipalities' association, and the withdrawal of all special Kosovo Police units from the north of Kosovo.

“In northern Mitrovica and Zubin Potok, where the Serb community makes up over 90 per cent of the population, no candidate from the Serb community has been registered. Democracy in Action estimates that this situation could undermine the legitimacy of the institutions that will emerge from the elections, as it does not guarantee fair representation of the Serb community”, this organisation has said through a public response.

In response, it has also said, that due to the resignations of Serbian community election officials, the CEC is facing challenges in the necessary preparations.

Serbs in the north have given collective resignations from Kosovo institutions in November last year, including mayors of municipalities, as a sign of dissatisfaction with the Kosovo Government's decision to reregister cars with Serbian igal license plates in the RKS Republic of Kosovo.

“DnV recalls that creating a safe environment is the essential prerequisite for ensuring free and fair elections”, is said in response.

Even according to political policy connoisseurs, the failure of the Serbian List in this election jeopardises the success of the whole process.

Since 2013, when this party was formed, it has received over 90 per cent of the votes from the Serb community in almost all of Kosovo's elections.

However, the EU observer mission regularly mentions in reports that, the Serbian List has “monopolised political life among Kosovo Serbs”.

The European Union and members of the QUINT group United States, Great Britain, Italy, France and Germany have expressed regret over why the Serbian List, which enjoys official Belgrade's support has not obtained the right to participate in the elections.