The Serb-majority municipalities in northern Kosovo – North Mitrovica, Leposavić, Zvečan, and Zubin Potok – have decided to withdraw from the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo, announcing their intention to join a separate association of Serb-majority municipalities in the country.
This decision follows the return of power in these four municipalities to the Serb List, the largest Serb party in Kosovo backed by Serbia, after the October local elections.
During the first regular session on December 18, the new municipal assembly presidents were elected: Nemanja Bisevac in North Mitrovica, Sërxhan Millosavljević in Zvečan, Marko Rakić in Leposavić, and Nemanja Jakšić in Zubin Potok.
The newly elected leaders had announced at the beginning of December that they would reconsider decisions made by the previous Albanian-led administrations.
Sazan Ibrahimi, Director of the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo, told Telegrafi that he hopes this decision will be reversed, noting that the Association’s goal is to strengthen municipal capacities:
“The Association of Municipalities of Kosovo is a voluntary mechanism that works to protect and promote the interests of local authorities in the Republic of Kosovo. The fact that these four municipal assemblies are currently not joining the Association is a procedural matter, but municipal assemblies remain the highest decision-making bodies at the local level.”
He added:
“The Association has open doors for all municipalities in Kosovo, so that lobbying, advocacy, and capacity-building can be more effective. We believe this decision will be reversed soon, so that all municipalities in the Republic of Kosovo can benefit from the advantages offered by the Association. Our work serves local authorities, regardless of who leads them.”
Under the previous Albanian-led mayors, these municipalities joined the Association of Municipalities of Kosovo in summer 2023.
Telegrafi also reached out to Acting Minister of Local Government Administration, Elbert Krasniqi, but had not received a response by the time of publication.
