Millosh Kovačević, a 32-year-old from the village of Bajë in the municipality of Skenderaj, claims he was dismissed from his position by the temporary municipal authority operating within the Serbian system due to his political opposition to the Serbian List – the largest political party representing Serbs in Kosovo, which is backed by Belgrade.
Kovačević is a candidate for the Kosovo Assembly from the Citizen Initiative for Popular Justice. Kosovo’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for February 9.
In an interview with Radio Free Europe, Kovačević explained that on January 27, Nebojša Tomashević, a member of the temporary municipal authority in Skenderaj, told him, “We will make sure that you will no longer receive any salary from the Serbian budget because you are a traitor.”
“I simply want to make a change in my town, in my village, for people to live at least a little better,” Kovačević stated. His only income had been a monthly compensation of 40,000 dinars (approximately 350 euros) from the temporary municipal authority of Skenderaj.
Since February 2023, Kovačević had a contract that was renewed every six months. However, about a month before the contract expired on January 31, he claims his employer deregistered him from the pension and health insurance system.
Kovačević believes this is a direct result of the “threats” made by Tomashević. “I don’t see any other justifiable reason for my dismissal other than political,” he said.
His employment contract stated that the employer had the right to unilaterally terminate the contract without explanation if the employee failed to fulfill their duties. Kovačević believes this clause is why no one officially notified him of his contract termination.
To support his claims, Kovačević provided Radio Free Europe with documentation showing that his health insurance contract was terminated on January 31, and his employer will no longer contribute to his pension or health insurance. He also provided evidence that, after the deregistration, he was not re-registered, which was typical every six months under the terms of his contract.
Denial from Authorities
Nebojša Tomashević, whom Kovačević accuses of slandering and threatening him, denied the allegations. “No one has told him anything. It is not true. No one can stop him from speaking. Everyone is free to say whatever they want,” Tomashević told Radio Free Europe, adding that he was unaware of any dismissal of Kovačević.
Vasilije Tomashević, head of the temporary municipal authority in Skenderaj, also denied the dismissal, though he hinted that Kovačević’s political activities, aligned with the Citizen Initiative for Popular Justice, were not supported by his local community. “The young man needs to get serious. I don’t know what you’re talking about, I am not informed,” he stated, dismissing questions about Kovačević’s deregistration from pension and health insurance.
Tomashević further explained that the temporary municipal authority in Skenderaj is no longer operational, with all functions now relocated to Raška, Serbia.
Serbia’s Role and the Serbian List’s Influence
The closure of Kosovo’s institutions aligned with Serbia has been ongoing, with several Serbian-run bodies shut down in recent years, including the temporary municipal authority in Skenderaj. Despite this, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has stated that no employee will lose their salary from the Serbian budget, although some may be without a position.
The Radio Free Europe inquiry to Serbia’s Kosovo Office regarding Kovačević’s dismissal went unanswered.
The Serbian List remains the only political option with Belgrade’s backing for participation in Kosovo’s institutions. It controls almost all Serbian-run entities in Kosovo, including the Health Center in North Mitrovica, directed by the leader of the Serbian List, Zllatan Ellek.
Kovačević’s Political Commitment
Kovačević, who believes that the Serbian List has not improved the situation for Serb communities in Skenderaj, particularly in the villages of Bajë and Suhogërllë, has openly criticized the party. “I am not satisfied with its work, and that’s why I have politically opposed the largest Serbian party in Kosovo,” Kovačević explained.
He has previously run for local office under the Citizen Initiative SDP – Oliver Ivanović, which faced significant pressure from the Serbian List during the 2017 local elections. Ivanović, the leader of the initiative, was assassinated several months after the election.
Kovačević noted that Serbs in Kosovo are often afraid to speak out due to the pressure they face from the Serbian List. Many Serbs in Kosovo rely on financial support from the Serbian government, including salaries, pensions, social aid, and child allowances.
Despite the personal financial hardship he now faces due to the loss of his salary, Kovačević insists that it will not deter him from his goals. “Nothing can break me,” he affirmed.
Previous Similar Cases
After the 2021 parliamentary elections, Radio Free Europe reported the case of Bojan Marković from Ranillug, who lost his job after refusing a request from the Serbian List to vote for Adrijana Hoxhiq, a Bosniak candidate from Mitrovica. The Serbian List had pressured Serb voters to support Hoxhiq in order to control non-majority communities in Kosovo.
In the wake of Marković’s claims, Kosovo’s Supreme Court annulled 4,205 votes for Hoxhiq, which led to her losing her parliamentary seat.
The Serbian List has consistently won over 90% of the Serb vote in every election since its founding in 2013. However, the European Union’s Election Observation Mission has noted that the party has “monopolized political life” among Kosovo’s Serb community, with reports of voter intimidation and pressure.
In the upcoming parliamentary elections on February 9, the Serbian List will face competition from five other Serb political parties, including the Citizen Initiative for Popular Justice.
