The European Union has expressed regret for the call made by the Serb List to boycott the vote for the dismissal of the Albanian mayors in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo, inhabited by a majority of Serbs.

Also, through an answer sent to the media, the European bloc expressed regret for the call for the Serbs to boycott the population census process in Kosovo.

“We take note of the concerns expressed by Kosovo Serbs regarding the process for the new elections.
Despite this, we call on the Serb List to reconsider the decision not to participate, as democracy means participation and the realization of the right for Kosovo Serbs to express their views at the ballot box,” says the EU’s response.

The European bloc said that it is crucial that the local elections take place in the four municipalities in the north of Kosovo, “with the participation of Serbs without preconditions”.

“The holding of new elections for mayors should ensure full representative governance in the north and help reduce tensions. The vote for dismissal is a step in this direction”, said the EU.

The EU also said that since the Serbs in the north left the institutions of Kosovo in November 2022, the European bloc with its partners has committed itself to the return of the Kosovo Serbs to the institutions.

“It is imperative that we return to the situation where Kosovo Serbs take an active part in the local government, police and judiciary in the north of Kosovo”, it was said in the reaction.

On April 7, Serb List– the main party of Serbs in Kosovo that enjoys the support of Belgrade – said it would not take part in the April 21 vote, when the residents in the four municipalities in the north must vote whether or not they want to dismiss the Albanian mayors, who were elected last year, in the elections boycotted by the Serbs.

For this vote to be successful, 50 percent, plus one vote of citizens with the right to vote, is needed.

After that, the result is sent to the president of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, who has a legal deadline of 30 to 45 days to announce the holding of early elections.

The European bloc also said that it is regrettable the call of the Serb List that the Serbs in Kosovo should not participate in the population census, which started on April 5 and will end on May 17.

“Providing the latest data on the population is of particular importance as it is not only to ensure the fair distribution of funds to the municipalities, but also to help make informed political decisions, planning for public services and addressing the different needs of different demographic groups within the population”, said the EU.

The European bloc said that it encourages citizens to participate in the population census, while calling on Kosovo institutions to intensify information campaigns for all residents, so that everyone has sufficient information about this process.

According to the Law on population, household and housing registration, any person can be fined from 30 to 2,000 euros if they refuse to provide the information requested by the registrar.

Fines are even greater, up to 20,000 euros, for businesses.