Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić has promised the creation of 400 jobs in Kosovo’s healthcare sector within the next 10 days, just seven days before local elections. The announcement targets the Serb community in Kosovo.
The promise has drawn criticism from Nenad Rašić, Kosovo’s only Serb MP, who claims that the Serbian government routinely uses job offers to influence votes for the Serbian List. Rašić said that, historically, elections have involved hundreds of promised jobs, yet only a fraction of beneficiaries are actually employed, favoring individuals with political connections.
“For example, Petković has visited these centers in recent days, offering transportation, meals, and allowances of around €100 per person to attend and vote. These reports are unofficial, but consistent with past practices,” Rašić said.
The employment initiative affects healthcare and education, sectors where Serbia has significant influence in Kosovo. Conflict and media analyst Abit Hoxha described Vučić’s move as a political tactic aimed at security and control, warning that Kosovo must not succumb to provocations intended to elicit reactions from local or EU institutions.
Earlier in September, Anu Prattipati from the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo emphasized that parallel institutions led by Serbia should eventually integrate into Kosovo’s system in consultation with the local Serb community.
