EU reacts to Serb List calls boycotted vote, census in the north

The European Union has expressed regret over the call Serbian List has made for boycotting the dismissal of Albanian mayors in four municipalities in Kosovo's Serb-run north.

Also, through an answer sent to the media, the European bloc has expressed regret at the call for Serbs to boycott the Kosovo population registration process.

“We take to know the concerns expressed by Kosovo Serbs regarding the process for new elections. In spite of that, we call on the Serbian List to re-examine the decision not to participate, as democracy implies participation and implementation of the right for Kosovo Serbs to express their positions in the polling boxes”, the EU response reported.

The European bloc said it is key to hold local elections in four municipalities in northern Kosovo, “with the participation of Serbs without preconditions”.

The development of new municipal elections should ensure full representative governance in the north and help reduce tensions. The dismissal vote is a step in this direction”, the EU said.

The EU also said that since Serbs in the north left Kosovo institutions November 2022, the European bloc with its partners has committed Kosovo Serbs to return to institutions.

It is imperative that we return to the situation where Kosovo Serbs actively participate in local governance, police and judiciary in northern Kosovo”, it was said in response.

On April 7th, the Serbian List ʹ the main party of Serbs in Kosovo enjoying Belgrade's support said it would not participate in the April 21st vote, when residents in the four municipalities in the north should vote if they want to dismiss Albanian leaders, who were elected last year, in the Serb boycotted elections.

For this vote to be successful, it takes 50 percent, plus one vote of citizens for voting.

After that, the result is sent to Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, who has a legal deadline of 30 to 45 days to announce holding early elections.

The European bloc also said it is to regret the call of the Serbian List that Serbs in Kosovo do not participate in the census, which started April 5th and will end on May 17th.

“Securation of newer data for the population is of particular importance because it is not only to ensure the right distribution of resources for municipalities, but also to help make informed decisions, planning for public services and addressing the different needs of different demographic groups within the population”, the EU said.

The European bloc said it encourages citizens to participate in the population census, meanwhile urged Kosovo institutions to intensify information campaigns for all residents so that they can all have enough information about the process.

Under the Law on Population Recording, Family Economics and Homes, each person can be fined between 30 and 2,000 euros if he refuses to provide information requested by the recorder.
Fines are even bigger, up to 20,000 euros, for businesses.