The Serb List has strongly condemned the decision of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Kosovo to block its certification for the October local elections, calling the move “illegal and discriminatory” and blaming Kosovo’s acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti.
Serb List is the largest political party representing Kosovo Serbs and enjoys strong backing from Belgrade.
Ellek: Political Maneuvering by Kurti
Party leader Zlatan Ellek told reporters on August 22 that although the Office for Political Parties had recommended certification, the CEC voted against it.
“It is clear that Kurti and his representative on the CEC, especially Alban Krasniqi, the husband of acting Justice Minister Albulena Haxhiu, cannot forgive Serb List for not supporting him in the election of the Speaker of the Assembly,” Ellek said.
He accused Kurti of using the issue to score political points, while confirming that Serb List would pursue all legal avenues to secure certification for both mayoral and assembly candidates. Ellek also argued that Kurti aims to “divide the Serb political body” in Kosovo by excluding his party and promoting “quasi-Serb parties loyal to him.”
Serb List to File Appeal
Deputy leader Igor Simić confirmed that the party had already prepared an appeal to the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel (ECAP), arguing that all Serb List candidates meet the legal requirements.
“Together with the appeal, we will attach all the evidence proving that our candidates for mayors and assembly members meet the legal conditions to appear on the ballots,” Simić said.
He also criticized what he called the “weak statements” of the international community, including the reaction of U.S. Embassy chargé d’affaires Anu Prattipati, arguing they have had little impact.
CEC Voting Breakdown
During the August 21 CEC session, members of Vetëvendosje (VV) voted against certification of the Serb List. The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK), and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) abstained.
Only the Serb List’s representative Gordana Llaban and the CEC chair Kreshnik Radoniqi supported certification.
Legal experts suggest ECAP may overturn the decision, as it has in the past. For example, the panel previously struck down a similar CEC ruling, allowing Serb List to participate in the February 9 parliamentary elections.
International Reactions
Ahead of the CEC vote, U.S. diplomat Anu Prattipati met with Kurti to express Washington’s concerns about limiting Serb participation in the October elections.
Prattipati stressed the importance of allowing Kosovo Serbs to vote freely, saying:
“We are concerned about any attempt to restrict this opportunity.”
Meanwhile, Serbia’s Foreign Minister Marko Gjurić condemned the CEC decision, calling it a “flagrant example of political engineering” designed to exclude Kosovo Serbs from democratic life.
Background
- Serb List previously boycotted local elections in 2023, leading to Albanian mayors taking office in the four Serb-majority northern municipalities.
- If certified, the party is expected to regain control of North Mitrovica, Leposavić, Zvečan, and Zubin Potok.
- The party had governed all 10 Serb-majority municipalities until November 2022, when it withdrew from Kosovo institutions over the license plate dispute with Prishtina.
