European Parliament Standing Rapporteur for Kosovo Viola von Cramon expressed concerns over the situation in north Kosovo during a press conference in Pristina this Monday. She said that the Government of Kosovo “seems to be risking a lot with its maneuvers in the north”.
“Of course, the mayors were elected in a legal way. However, this does not mean they have the legitimacy to enter these buildings and force their way. No one can lead with one or two percent of the votes,” von Cramon declared.
She called on the Government of Kosovo to ask itself is this is “a good governance”, while adding that they must work in building trust with the Serb community in the north of Kosovo, so that they are not portrayed as “criminals” and “Belgrade’s subordinates”.
Von Cramon’s declarations follow another day of protests from Serb citizens in Zvečan, Leposavić and Zubin Potok, who oppose the newly elected Albanian mayors in these municipalities.
Tensions rose on May 26th when Kosovo Police assisted the new mayors in entering municipal buildings.
Police clashed with protesters, which led to five officers sustaining injuries and several police vehicles burned.
The international community expressed concerns over the situation and asked the Government of Kosovo not to undertake “unilateral and destabilizing actions”.
Kosovo’s Prime Minister Albin Kurti said that he understands concerns coming from international partners, however, “every other option would be non-fulfillment of constitutional obligations.”
The new Albanian mayors were elected on April 23rd, after previous mayors coming from the Serb List resigned, due to a Kosovo Government decision to carry out the re-registration of vehicles with illegal Serbian license plates.
The Serb List abandoned all Kosovo institutions and boycotted the elections, leading to the non-recognition of the elected Albanian mayors.
