Low Turnout in Kosovo's Local Elections Lacks Long-Term Political Solutions, says EU
Date
4/26/2023 8:37:52 AM
(MENAFN) The EU Commission has expressed regret over the low turnout in Kosovo's local elections, saying that it does not offer long-term Political solutions. In a statement released in Belgrade, EU Commission spokesman Peter Stano emphasized that the low turnout, particularly among Kosovo Serb citizens, shows that the process cannot be considered business as usual. Stano believes that a permanent return of Kosovo Serbs to the institutions is needed for a long-term political solution, and Kosovo must enable this return.
The EU also urged the authorities to establish the Serb community in the north of Kosovo. They stated that there is an urgent need for a serious dialogue between the Government of Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs in the north to finalize the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority Municipalities. However, little progress has been made, and both sides need to play their role and fulfill their commitments, according to Stano.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called the local elections in Kosovo a historic result, saying that the Serbs demonstrated exceptional unity and discipline in boycotting the elections. He added that the OSCE and the EU did not monitor the elections, which were held only for one side. However, political analyst Dusan Janjic believes that the elections are not legitimate and problematic from the point of view of legality.
The Kosovo Serbs boycotted the extraordinary elections in four municipalities in the country's north. The Kosovo Central Election Commission reported a 3.47 percent turnout, with only 1,567 out of 45,095 registered voters in the region heading to the polls. The Commission said that 11 candidates ran for mayor in North Mitrovica, Zubin Potok, Leposavic, and Zvecan, as well as 60 candidates for city councils in Zvecan and Leposavic.
The EU's call for a permanent return of Kosovo Serbs to institutions and the establishment of the Serb community in the north of Kosovo is part of an ongoing effort to address the political situation in the country. The low turnout in the local elections highlights the need for a serious dialogue between the Government of Kosovo and Kosovo Serbs in the north to find a long-term political solution that benefits all parties involved.
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