The Central Election Commission (KQZ) has certified the coalition AAK – “Social Democratic Initiative – The Conservatives – E30 and Ideal, but did not certify the Serbian List.
The reason for this decision was nationalist calls made by the leader of the Serbian List in Kosovo, Zllatan Ellek, during the presentation of the electoral list.
At first, two members from the Vetëvendosje (VV) party in the KQZ, Sami Kurteshi and Alban Krasniqi, expressed their opposition to certifying this political entity.
“I have my reservations and I must express them, there are many elements at play, particularly the presentation of the Serbian List candidates. They never mention the Republic of Kosovo, but instead refer to ‘Kosovo and Metohija.’ They don’t say ‘Long live Kosovo,’ but ‘Long live Serbia.’ Representatives of this list maintain contact with the government of Vučić, with ties to Radojičić, who is connected to the terrorist attack in Banjskë and more recently in Ibër Lepenc,” he said, while playing an audio recording in which Ellek makes anti-Kosovo calls.
Another VV member, Alban Krasniqi, also opposed certifying the Serbian List, calling for action from the State Prosecutor.
Other members from opposition parties also expressed their concerns. Meanwhile, Arianit Elshani, a representative of the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) in the KQZ, reminded that the verification of candidate lists passed through several institutions, none of which raised any objections.
“I share the same concerns as the VV member, but I have another concern because the recommendation of the Party Registration Office stated that this subject fulfills all criteria to compete in the February 9th elections. This was also based on the declarations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MPB) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MPJ), all of which confirmed that the subject in question meets the criteria. On this basis, I abstain until a clear decision is made, because the certification of entities should have a consensus,” Elshani said.
Elshani reminded that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had not raised any objections to the candidate list of the political subject.
“We all know who the Serbian List is, but it would be good if the Ministry of Internal Affairs would clarify this for us. It would be better for them to tell us who the members of this political entity are. I propose that you consult with the MPB and come up with a recommendation, either for or against certification,” Elshani added.
