Serbia, in collaboration with Srpska Lista, is blackmailing Kosovo Serbs, according to Milica Stojanović Kostić, a Serbian journalist residing in Kosovo. She claims that this pressure from Belgrade is happening openly, with Serbs being offered jobs for one month in exchange for their votes for the party controlled by Belgrade.
Blackmail Through Employment and Social Assistance
Saša Sekulić, head of the Businessmen’s Association in Gračanica, asserts that Serbia, not Kosovo’s government, is responsible for the exodus of Serbs from Kosovo.
Serbia has intensified its aggressive campaign to ensure Srpska Lista’s victory in the February 9 elections in Kosovo. Initially, it distributed unfinished houses to certain Serbian residents, viewing them as potential Srpska Lista voters.
Now, a new tactic has emerged—offering short-term employment contracts in illegal medical facilities operating within Kosovo. These job postings are only valid for one month, from January 27 to February 28, 2025, aligning with the election period.
According to Kim Radio, there has been significant interest in these job offers, with applicants including both unemployed Kosovo Serbs and those from central Serbia.
Additionally, Serbia has launched a social assistance program, offering 20,000 dinars to 5,000 citizens, primarily unemployed individuals and those in financial distress. The payments are set to begin in mid-February, according to Petar Petković, head of Serbia’s so-called Office for Kosovo.
Political Manipulation Through Economic Hardship
Representatives of Kosovo’s civil society believe these job offers and social assistance payments are part of Serbia’s election campaign, aimed at securing votes for Srpska Lista.
Journalist Milica Stojanović Kostić openly states that Kosovo Serbs are being blackmailed by both Belgrade and Serbia. With just days remaining until the February 9 elections, Serbia is doing everything possible to secure its preferred outcome.
“The Serbian government is giving out 20,000 dinars in February to manipulate people. They offer contracts with unknown terms, allowing them to blackmail people who are simply trying to provide for their families,” Stojanović Kostić said.
She emphasized that this manipulation is happening in broad daylight, while institutions remain silent, prioritizing party interests over public welfare.
Gordana Đorić from the Avenija Women’s Business Association condemned these tactics, calling them shameful.
“It is unacceptable for Serbian politicians to offer jobs, social aid, and projects only during election campaigns. Their duty is to serve the people at all times, not just when seeking votes.”
Meanwhile, Saša Sekulić refuted Serbia’s claims that Kosovo’s government is to blame for Serb emigration. He asserted that economic hardship, caused by Serbia’s own policies, is the real reason young Serbs are leaving.
“There are very few employment opportunities, which is why young people are leaving Kosovo—not because of Prishtina’s government, but because of Belgrade’s failures,” he stated.
Serbia has reportedly opened job postings in health centers across Gračanica, Fushë Kosovë, Gusterica (Lipjan), Istog, Prizren, and Peja, including a pharmaceutical institute in Prishtina.
