With only days left until Kosovo’s February 9 elections, Serb List has reportedly begun distributing financial aid from Serbia to unemployed Serbs in northern Kosovo, raising concerns about vote-buying tactics.
Mysterious Gathering in North Mitrovica
On February 5, around 17:00, an unusual event took place in North Mitrovica near the amphitheater of the technical school. Groups of Serbs gathered after receiving a same-day invitation for an “informative interview” regarding financial aid promised by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić in September 2024.
According to Kossev, a Serbian-language media outlet in Kosovo, attendees were divided into groups and called into the amphitheater one by one. Some were reportedly summoned by the National Employment Service, while others were contacted by Social Work Centers.
Witnesses stated that they were briefed about the conditions and criteria for receiving 20,000 dinars (approximately 170 euros) in financial assistance. Officials present allegedly verified whether they still lived in Kosovo. However, the exact details of the meeting remain undisclosed.
Attempts to Maintain Secrecy
Journalists seeking official statements were met with secrecy and resistance. Kossev reporters were instructed not to take photos or record videos, as it was “not an event for the media.” Efforts to obtain official explanations from organizers were unsuccessful.
Notably, this sudden gathering occurred just hours after a Serb List political rally in the same city. When questioned about the connection between the political event and the financial aid distribution, both Serb List leader Zlatan Elek and North Mitrovica Mayor Ivan Zaporozac denied involvement.
“I don’t know anything about this,” Zaporozac stated.
Serbia had announced this financial assistance in September 2024, but its sudden distribution just before elections has raised suspicions. According to reports, the first 5,000 recipients—the most vulnerable—will receive payments by mid-February, with further distributions planned afterward.
Political Manipulation Through Financial Dependence?
This move is widely seen as an attempt by Belgrade to reinforce political control over Kosovo Serbs through economic dependence on Serbia. The financial aid comes amid intensified election campaigning by Serb List, which has long been accused of acting as an extension of the Serbian government in Kosovo.
This development adds to concerns about electoral integrity, particularly as Kosovo authorities have previously warned against foreign interference in the upcoming elections.
