The escalation of the situation in the north on the eve of April 23rd elections?

“With these reasons we are taught, it is not the first time in full control of the state”, a citizen of Mitrovica said, while confirming he will go to the polls.

The worse the better. If you want to beg your rights, the rights of your people, then come to the election” said another citizen.

But Serb citizens think otherwise. They say elections in the north should not be held.

We don't have to hold those choices, we have the elected representatives of our power. These elections Pristina declared for us are unlegal and undemocratic means they should not be held in the north. We will not participate”, a Serbian citizen told RTV21.

The largest Serb party in Kosovo, the Serbian List, has refused to participate in the elections until the two requirements are met: the formation of the Serb majority municipalities' association and the withdrawal of all special Kosovo Police units from northern Kosovo. That day earlier warned the uprising if the Kosovo police suspect of burning cars will not release him.

Eight cars were burned last week in the country's north, mostly reregistered with signs of the Republic of Kosovo.
Former Minister of Local Power Sadri Ferati says Kosovo institutions should create conditions for holding elections in the north, since, according to him, the situation could escalate.

“It is not surprising that by offering the election day, tensions will not be raised, but I think the RKS institutions should insist on creating those conditions what can be created under these circumstances so that those citizens who want to vote have the opportunity... I expect the elections to be held with very small numbers, but there will still be legal elections and they will create” structures, Ferati said.

North Mitrovica's mayoral candidate from the Civic Initiative, Betim Osmani, hopes there will be no escalation of the situation so the elections can be held.

“I hope not that the security institutions are taking measures to ensure the safety of the citizens and their property if this function is properly functioning, I believe there will be a problem with holding elections”, Osmani said.

During the day, the Council for Protection of Human Rights and Freedoms estimated that there are no conditions for holding local elections in northern Kosovo, saying the security situation is unstable and that can escalate even more. The same assessment came the day before the Democracy Organisation in Action.

Elections in the four northern municipalities were scheduled to be held on April 23rd, following their postponement in December last year, at the request of the international community.