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Elections in Kosovo/ OSCE: To take into account the interests of all communities

Politiko 2023-04-24 17:26:45

Elections in Kosovo/ OSCE: To take into account the interests of all communities

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has said that the rights and interests of all communities living in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo should be taken into account after the elections in that area.

Jeff Bieley, head of political affairs and communication in the OSCE mission in Kosovo, commented for Radio Free Europe on the progress of the April 23 elections for the mayors of municipalities with a Serbian majority: North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposavic and Zvecan.

These elections were widely boycotted by the Serbian population and turnout, according to the Central Election Commission (CEC), was only 3.47 percent.

"It would be preferable for all communities to participate fully, both candidates and voters," said Bieley.

However, according to him, it was positive that, "despite the political differences regarding the holding of the elections, no attempt was made to disrupt the process on the day of the elections".

The OSCE, which in the past was engaged in monitoring or even organizing local and central elections in Kosovo, announced that it has not been asked to engage in these elections in any capacity.

"O SBE... has had no role in facilitating the elections in Kosovo since 2020. This is because the CEC has proven since November 2020 that it has the technical ability to hold elections in the four northern municipalities of Kosovo without operational support from the OSCE ", he emphasized.

According to the preliminary results, the race for mayor in North Mitrovica and Leposaviq was won by the candidates of the Vetëvendosje Movement, while in Zveçan and Zubin Potok those of the Democratic Party of Kosovo won.

Out of ten candidates, only one was from the Serbian community. Previously, these municipalities were led by members of the largest Serbian party in Kosovo, Lista Serbe, which this time boycotted the elections. For the boycott of the elections by the Kosovo Serbs, the Kosovar leaders blamed the influence of Belgrade. Meanwhile, the leaders of Serbia have warned of "a deep crisis" in that area. The municipalities in the north were left without mayors since November of last year, when the Serbian representatives in that area resigned from their jobs, due to disagreement with a decision of the Government of Kosovo on the re-registration of cars with illegal Serbian license plates./rel

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