Vuciq says Kosovo does not want to hold elections in the north

Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vuciq, said authorities in Kosovo do not want elections.

“Let them do their job, but they don't even want that choice, they don't want anything”, Vuciq said after attending the final phase of training members of the Serbian Armed Forces.

He made that statement when asked by a journalist how he comments on Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Besnik Bislimi's statement, who the previous day has said Kosovo should not declare elections in Serb majority municipalities in the north until the European Union lifts the penalties imposed on Kosovo.

However, on July 25th, the European Union reiterated the call for Kosovo's election proclamation, and called for Serbs living in the four northern municipalities to participate in this election.

“However, we take the opportunity to repeat that the EU expects the parties to implement the requirements that have been voiced in the 27 EU nations' statement on June 3rd of 2023. This clear includes that extraordinary elections should be announced as soon as possible, to be organised in a comprehensive manner in all four Serbian municipalities in the north. Kosovo Serbs are expected to participate in these elections”, the European Union's response to Radio Free Europe reported.

The Kosovo government has agreed on July 10th to make a public statement, to support holding early elections in four northern municipalities after the summer.

Under the agreement reached with the EU, Kosovo is committed to providing the necessary legal basis for organising the elections.

Bislimim the day before said it is pending the EU's announcement of the removal of sanctions, following the compliance achieved between Kosovo and the EU in Bratislava, and the withdrawal of 25% of police forces from municipal buildings in the 4 northern municipalities.

However, diplomatic sources from the EU have told Free Europe Radio that removing the punitive measures the European Union has imposed on Kosovo will depend on implementing the obligations Pristina has taken and other steps expected by authorities in Kosovo to continue efforts to reduce tensions in the north.