Partial Serb participation in Kosovo vote

Only 8 Serb parties will participate in the Kosovo parliamentary elections, while in local elections considerably more. Although, according to the Kosovo Central Electoral Commission website 30 Serb lists have registered for the November 17 elections, the majority have pulled out. Partial Serb participation in Kosovo vote The withdrawals took place following advice from the government in Belgrade to boycott the elections. Eight Serb parties will thus take part in the parliamentary elections, though that number is much higher for local elections, with citizens’ initiatives having decided to try and retain municipal power in those regions with majority Serb populations. Among those parties that had been interested in participating in the elections but who have subsequently withdrawn is New Democracy, whose president, Nenad Radosavljevic, told B92 that their decision was partly influenced by Belgrade’s official position on Kosovo Serb participation in the elections. “This was primarily because a clash of interests between the state and Serbs in the region would undoubtedly be detrimental to the Kosovo people. Without state support, without stronger Serbian institutions in the province, it’s unlikely the Serbs could have survived, and we would be in an even tougher position,” said Radosavljevic. Unlike the majority of parties, one of those that will be taking part in the Kosovo elections is the Independent Liberal Party. Party General Secretary Petar Miletic told B92 that such a decision had been taken as it had already been proven that boycotts had no effect. “We have decided to enter institutions, and through these institutions, to fight for Serb rights, particularly those rights which have been denied us. I think the conditions for participations in the 2001 and 2004 elections were much worse than today, so the Serbs will take part in these elections after all. The argument that, by participating in these elections we will be giving legitimacy to an independent country, simply aren’t convincing,” he said. Nevertheless, the Kosovo Serbs are distinguishing between parliamentary and municipal elections, and by participating in local elections, the Serbs feel they could change some things for the better. The Serb parties and initiatives registered for the elections mainly in those areas with large Serb populations. However, some places have missed out, such as Zubin Potok, where only two Albanian parties have submitted their registration.

Partial Serb participation in Kosovo vote

The withdrawals took place following advice from the government in Belgrade to boycott the elections.

Eight Serb parties will thus take part in the parliamentary elections, though that number is much higher for local elections, with citizens’ initiatives having decided to try and retain municipal power in those regions with majority Serb populations.

Among those parties that had been interested in participating in the elections but who have subsequently withdrawn is New Democracy, whose president, Nenad Radosavljević, told B92 that their decision was partly influenced by Belgrade’s official position on Kosovo Serb participation in the elections.

“This was primarily because a clash of interests between the state and Serbs in the region would undoubtedly be detrimental to the Kosovo people. Without state support, without stronger Serbian institutions in the province, it’s unlikely the Serbs could have survived, and we would be in an even tougher position,” said Radosavljević.

Unlike the majority of parties, one of those that will be taking part in the Kosovo elections is the Independent Liberal Party. Party General Secretary Petar Miletić told B92 that such a decision had been taken as it had already been proven that boycotts had no effect.

“We have decided to enter institutions, and through these institutions, to fight for Serb rights, particularly those rights which have been denied us. I think the conditions for participations in the 2001 and 2004 elections were much worse than today, so the Serbs will take part in these elections after all. The argument that, by participating in these elections we will be giving legitimacy to an independent country, simply aren’t convincing,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Kosovo Serbs are distinguishing between parliamentary and municipal elections, and by participating in local elections, the Serbs feel they could change some things for the better.

The Serb parties and initiatives registered for the elections mainly in those areas with large Serb populations. However, some places have missed out, such as Zubin Potok, where only two Albanian parties have submitted their registration.