EU Says Boycotted North Kosovo Elections ‘Offer no Long-Term Solution’

The European Union on Monday criticised the elections held on Sunday in mainly Serbian north Kosovo, saying the very low turnout meant they offered no "long-term solution" to the crisis in the north.

"These elections do not offer a long-term political solution for these municipalities. This can only happen through permanent return of Kosovo Serbs to the institutions, and for Kosovo to enable this return," the EU press release said, emphasizing that "work on the establishment of the Association/Community of Serb majority Municipalities needs to be finalised as soon as possible".

It added: "The EU regrets that not all parties and communities made use of their democratic right to participate and vote in the elections," noting that "the very low turnout, in particular among Kosovo Serb citizens, shows that this process is not and cannot be considered business as usual".

It continued: "Participation in electoral processes has the aim to ensure that the voices of the communities the elected leaders represent, will be heard."

Only 1,567 citizens, about 3.47 per cent of registered voters, had voted by 7pm on Sunday in the Serb-dominated north, according to the CEC. Some 45,095 citizens had the right to vote in the four municipalities.

According to preliminary results of the Kosovo Central Election Commission, CEC, the candidates of the ruling Vetevendosje Movement won in North Mitrovica and Leposavic, while candidates of opposition Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, won in the two other Serb-majority municipalities Zvecan and Zubin Potok.

Despite the setback caused by a Serbian boyott, the Kosovo government on Monday seemed determined to continue with the existing results.

PM Albin Kurti claimed the municipal elections were ...