Vuciq thinks more than 100 Serbs will participate in elections in the north

Periskopi

21 April 2023, 15:42(3 years ago)

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, estimated that in the April 23rd elections in northern Kosovo, more than “100 Serbs will not participate. He said that “people from the West” are making “ <x4rk”, because they think they can force Serbs to love independent Kosovo, forcing them to [...]

He said that “people from the West” are doing “cirk”, because they think they can force Serbs to love independent Kosovo, forcing them to participate in the elections.

According to him, no one will appear “in police containers” to vote.

He said the “Serbs will survive in Kosovo” and that “will continue to love the only state they have, which is Serbia”.

On Sunday 23 April, early local elections are held in municipalities: Northern Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Zvecan and Leposaviq all inhabited by Serb majority.

The Serbian list ʹ the largest party of Kosovo Serbs has refused to participate and has called on citizens in the north to boycott the process.

The Serbian List has said it has made the decision, as Kosovo has failed to meet its two conditions -- the formation of the Serb majority municipalities and the withdrawal of the special Kosovo Police Unit from the northern part of the country.

In that stance, she has also had official Belgrade's support.

Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti has rightly called on citizens to vote.

In a statement given to Radio Free Europe, US Ambassador to Kosovo Jeffrey Havenier has warned that “all efforts to prevent elections through threats or use of violence will face the strong condemnation of the international community”.

In the race for mayors in the north, there are 10 candidates, only one of the Serb community. Allexander Jabliovac, from the Kosovo Serb Party, has withdrawn from the race just three days before the elections, even though his candidacy has been certified by the Central Election Commission.

The municipalities in the north have been without mayors since November last year, when Serbian officials in this area have resigned from Kosovo institutions, due to a government decision in Pristina to reregister cars with Serbian illegal license plates.

Most of the 19 polling stations that will open in the north will be located in containers, as Belgrade-backed facilities have not allowed the opening of schools.