The recent statements by Petar Petković, Director of the Serbian Government Office for Kosovo, have sparked intense public debate. He portrayed the refusal to certify the Serbian List for the December 28 elections as “nervousness and fear” on the part of acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti, accusing him of anticipating a “potential voting debacle.”
A closer look at these statements reveals a clear attempt to manipulate public opinion and craft a narrative of victimhood, presenting Serbia and the Serbian List as “targets of pressure and discrimination” by Kosovar authorities. Petković portrays the Serbian List as the defender of Serbian interests, while in reality he is directly interfering in the democratic process of a sovereign state.
He accused Kurti of trying to impose candidates such as Nenad Rašić and to create “an ethnically pure Kosovo.” Such statements go beyond political rhetoric, they serve to justify Serbia’s direct interference in the political representation of the Serbian community in Kosovo. Petković’s warnings of “an even stronger unity” from Serbs on December 28 constitute an open political threat, which could heighten ethnic tensions ahead of the elections.
Over the past year, Serb parties and lists have enjoyed genuine support from their communities. Attempts to censor or block this process, under the guise of “protecting Serbian interests,” represent unacceptable interference in Kosovo’s sovereignty. Petković’s rhetoric should be seen as an effort to exploit fear and deflect responsibility from Serbia’s real interventions in the democratic process.
Kosovo and its institutions have proven capable of holding free and democratic elections, despite threats and manipulations from Serbian officials. Any attempt to use victimhood rhetoric for political purposes must be firmly denounced to safeguard the electoral process and maintain the country’s stability.
