QU INT, EU call on Serbian List to reconsider stance on boycott of elections in the north

QU The INT and the European Union have reacted to the boycott of the Serbian List in northern municipalities.

Through a joint response, they have called on the Serbian List to review its position, and has also called on the Government of Kosovo to be responsible for its citizens' concerns and to act professionally throughout this process.

QU The INT and the European Union have voiced concern over the call Serbian List has made for boycotting the vote for the dismissal of Albanian mayors in the four municipalities in Kosovo's predominantly Serb north.

“Sorry for statements by List Srpska and other Kosovo Serb political actors calling for withdrawal from turnout in this vote. Democratic participation is essential to ensure that the elected institutions are representatives of the populations they serve. The vote is a critical freedom of democratic societies”, said among other things in the joint response.

QU The INT and the EU say that “acknowledges that the April 23rd 2023 elections gave no long-term political solution to these municipalities, and that representative governance in the north will be restored when municipal mayoral elections with active participation of all communities” are held.

“Well, boycotting the April 21st elections will not bring this result, nor will it benefit citizens living in the north. Therefore, we call on List Srpska and all others who have called for withdrawal, reconsider their positions, and fully use democratic means available to advance effective democracy and representative”, it is said further in their stance.

QU The INT and the EU have also called on the Government of Kosovo.

“Call on the Government of Kosovo to be responsible for its citizens' concerns and to act professionally throughout this process. We invite all interested parties to act in such a way that all citizens who have voting rights in northern Kosovo have the opportunity to participate”, the response concludes.

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.