Albanian Language Media: 

• CEC announces preliminary results (media)
• Kurti: All parties united against VV (media)
• Rama hails Prishtina’s choice: A vote for development (media)
• EU welcomes “ordinary and inclusive mayoral runoff elections” (media)
• OSCE: Electoral process managed with professionalism and dedication (media)
• Police: 2025 runoff process calm, without serious incidents (media)
• Sorensen and Finnish Foreign Minister discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)
• Konjufca: I don’t know exactly what my chances are of becoming PM (media)
• Osmani and Maqedonci honor 14 fallen British soldiers in Kosovo (media)
• Xhafer Gashi admits defeat, resigns from positions in LDK (media)

Serbian Language Media:

• Dejanovic declared victory in Klokot, Elek announced victory of Serbian List (media)
• Petkovic: The convincing victory of the Serbian List in Klokot is a triumph of Serbian unity and solidarity (RTS)
• Odalovic: We act on all requests in the search for the missing; Kurti will do everything to make the work of institutions more difficult (RTS)
• Lawyer Ninic publishes photos of destroyed vehicle of wounded Serb from Leposavic (KoSSev)
• Kurti visits North Mitrovica for the first time since losing power there — refuses questions from Serbian journalist (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)
• Zakharova queries Vucic’s dual message on ammunition going to Ukraine (FoNet, N1)
• Serbian Foreign Ministry state secretary surprised by Zakharova’s comments (FoNet, N1)

International Media: 

• Kosovo elects mayors in 18 runoff elections (Prishtina Insight)
• Depleted uranium: The forgotten legacy of the Kosovo War (DW)

Albanian Language Media

CEC announces preliminary results (media)

The Central Election Commission (CEC) has announced the preliminary results for the runoff elections. According to the results, the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won the most municipalities in the second round. Perparim Rama won in Prishtina, Gazmend Muhaxheri in Peja, Bexhet Xheladini in Dragash, Ruzhdi Shehu in Junik, and Sokol Haliti in Viti.

The Vetevendosje Movement (LVV) secured victories with Faton Peci in South Mitrovica, Alban Hyseni in Gjilan, Halil Thaci in Obiliq, and Valon Prebreza in Fushe-Kosove.

The Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) came first in Gjakova with Ardian Gjini, in Suhareka with Bali Muharremaj, in Rahovec with Smajl Latifi, and in Kline with Zenun Elezaj.

The Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won in Prizren with Shaqir Totaj, in Kacanik with Sabedin Vishi, and in Vushtrri with Ferit Idrizi.

The Chair of the Central Election Commission, Kreshnik Radoniqi, stated that he hopes the final results of Sunday’s runoff elections will be announced within the second week. He noted that diaspora ballots are expected to be sent at the beginning of next week. According to the law, he said, the ballots will be sent tomorrow and the day after, while in some countries where Monday and Tuesday are public holidays, they will be sent on Wednesday. “By the end of next week, we hope to receive all diaspora votes, we will have to see whether shipments from Australia and the U.S. will arrive on time. Once they arrive, we will assess them and begin the counting process. We hope to have the final results within the second week,” Radoniqi said at the press conference.

Kurti: All parties united against VV (media)

The leader of the Vetevendosje Movement (VV), Albin Kurti, described his party’s victory in seven municipalities in Kosovo local elections as a success. According to him, the wins in four municipalities during the runoff were achieved despite “all the others being united against VV.” “This is an unprecedented situation in the electoral political history of Kosovo, and therefore it is a success for VV and for the citizens. We are still awaiting results in other municipalities. We will certainly address them again once we have them, but for now I need to rush to the celebratory rally first in Fushe-Kosove, then in Kastriot, and afterward in Mitrovice,” Kurti said in a statement to the media.

Vetevendosje had won in the first round in Podujeve, Shtime, and Kamenice. Of the 12 municipalities where it competed in the runoff, it won in South Mitrovica, Gjilan, Obiliq, and Fushe-Kosove.

Rama hails Prishtina’s choice: A vote for development (media)

The current mayor of Prishtina, Perparim Rama, has declared victory in the capital, confirming his new four-year term. “Tonight is the celebration of our city, a celebration of hope, unity, and democracy. Tonight, all citizens of Prishtina celebrate, regardless of their affiliations, because the will for development, unity, and citizenship has prevailed,” Rama said before his party’s supporters. He stated that this represents Prishtina’s maturity as a city: “Prishtina develops only when we build it together, because Prishtina belongs to everyone.”

“Today, citizenship that seeks cooperation, not obstruction, has won. Democratic culture triumphed over the cult of the individual. Dignity, unity, and the political civility of this city have prevailed. This is the greatest victory a capital can achieve,” Rama said.

He also greeted his opponent, Hajrulla Ceku, with a message: “I invite him to reflect in the spirit of citizenship. Prishtina needs cooperation, not obstruction,” he added.

EU welcomes “ordinary and inclusive mayoral runoff elections” (media)

The European Union Office in Kosovo said on Sunday that Acting EU Ambassador in Kosovo Eva Palatova welcomed “the orderly & inclusive conduct of the mayoral run-off elections in 18 Kosovo municipalities that marked the completion of the local elections cycle, calling it a testament to Kosovo's democracy”.

OSCE: Electoral process managed with professionalism and dedication (media)

The Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Gerard McGurk, has commended the work of the Central Election Commission and all those involved in organizing the second round of local elections.  “As the polling stations close for the second round of local elections, I congratulate Chairman Kreshnik Radoniqi, the Central Election Commission, and all those who were involved in managing and organizing the electoral process,” McGurk said.

He emphasized that the dedication and professionalism of electoral institutions have strengthened democracy in Kosovo. “Your professionalism and dedication have strengthened democratic processes in Kosovo. Congratulations to all newly elected and re-elected mayors, your work with and for your communities begins tomorrow. I look forward to meeting you soon,” McGurk added.

Police: 2025 runoff process calm, without serious incidents (media)

The Kosovo Police assessed that the 2025 runoff election process was conducted calmly and without any serious incidents in all municipalities involved in this second round of local elections. According to the police statement, the operational plan for the smooth running of the elections was successfully implemented, ensuring order, calm, and public safety before, during, and after voting. “The commitment of police officers and inter-institutional coordination had a positive impact, allowing the entire process to proceed without major incidents that could have compromised the elections,” the statement said.

In cooperation with the State Prosecutor’s Office, the Police initiated two criminal cases: one in Fushe Kosove for “giving and receiving bribes related to voting,” where two people were arrested, and another in Kline for “violation of voting secrecy,” with one person arrested. All three individuals were detained by order of competent prosecutors, the police announced.

Throughout the day, the police also handled 51 various reports related to the electoral process, but after evaluation by prosecutors, it was determined that none contained elements of criminal offenses; therefore, they were recorded only as information.

In conclusion, the Kosovo Police stated that the success of this operation was the result of good operational planning, the work of police officers, and close cooperation with other institutions. The Police also thanked people for their cooperation and for demonstrating a high level of democratic culture during the runoff process.

Sorensen and Finnish Foreign Minister discuss Kosovo-Serbia dialogue (media)

The EU envoy for the Kosovo-Serbia dialogue, Peter Sorensen, met with Finland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Elina Valtonen, in Helsinki, where he said he was on a working visit. Sorensen stated that he discussed “in detail” with the Finnish Foreign Minister about the EU-facilitated process, and he thanked her for her support and interest. “Very good working visit in Helsinki, organized today by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. We discussed in detail the EU-facilitated dialogue. I am grateful for the interest and support offered for the normalization process,” Sorensen wrote on X.

Konjufca: I don’t know exactly what my chances are of becoming prime minister (media)

The nominee for Prime Minister of Kosovo, Glauk Konjufca, has said that he does not know precisely, in probabilistic terms, what his chances are of becoming prime minister. “I don’t know exactly, in probabilistic terms, what my chances are of becoming prime minister. I think Kosovo will have a government, but ultimately I don’t believe it depends entirely on LVV. This time, the decision on whether we’ll have a new government or go to elections lies in the hands of the parties we call the opposition... We have the right to propose the second nominee, in this case, I was proposed and then nominated by the president as the candidate. My cabinet and I, as prime minister, will appear before the Assembly once we set the exact date. Whether I will be voted in or not depends mostly on the MPs of other parties. As you know, so far our majority composition has not exceeded 56–57 members,” he said.

Konjufca made these comments after casting his vote in Pristina’s mayoral runoff election. He also called on people to go out and vote in the second round of local elections.

Osmani and Maqedonci honor 14 fallen British soldiers in Kosovo (media)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Defense, Ejup Maqedonci, and the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, paid tribute on Sunday in memory of the 14 British soldiers who lost their lives while serving in Kosovo. The commemorative ceremony was held at “Edit Durham” Square in Prishtina, near the memorial plaque dedicated to them. The event was also attended by the Deputy Commander of the Kosovo Security Force (KSF), General Enver Cikaqi; the Commander of KFOR, General Ozkan Ulutas; as well as the British Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, together with other diplomats.

Maqedonci said that the tribute represents a gesture of gratitude for the sacrifice of the British soldiers who contributed to Kosovo’s peace and freedom. “The United Kingdom remains a steadfast friend and a valued ally of our country. Eternal glory and gratitude,” said the minister.

Xhafer Gashi admits defeat, resigns from positions in LDK (media)

The outgoing mayor of Obiliq Municipality, Xhafer Gashi, has resigned from all positions within the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) after losing the runoff election for a new four-year term as mayor of the municipality. “I thank each of you and many others who are not present here. We tried to organize ourselves, perhaps we didn’t succeed because somewhere we were cheated; therefore, as the head of the LDK branch in Obiliq, I take responsibility for the loss and resign from the General Council, from the LDK leadership, and from the position of branch president. I will always remain a supporter of LDK,” Gashi said.

He served as mayor of Obiliq for 12 consecutive years, but lost the runoff to the candidate from the Vetevendosje Movement, Halil Thaci.

Serbian Language Media

Dejanovic declared victory in Klokot, Elek announced victory of Serbian List (media)

Bozidar Dejanovic, the candidate for mayor of Klokot in front of the Serbian List, declared victory in the second round of local elections last night, reported Kosovo Online. Dejanovic addressed supporters and collaborators at the headquarters of the Serbian List in Vrbovac and pointed out that Serbian unity won last night.  

Zlatan Elek: The Serbian List convincingly won in Klokot, receiving 90.03 percent of the votes 

Tanjug agency reported that the president of the Serbian List, Zlatan Elek, announced that last night was a great and historic victory for the Serbian List and the Serbian people in Kosovo. 

He said that last night was a more than excellent result - the Serbian List won a convincing victory in the municipality of Klokot with 948 votes or 90.03 percent of the valid votes, ''and thus in all 10 municipalities with a Serbian majority, where our people will have mayors and a parliamentary majority of councilors from ranks of our party''.

''This victory is not just an election result - it is a victory of Serbian harmony, unity and faith in the common strength of our people,'' stated Elek, reported Tanjug, citing the SL announcement. 

"We are proud that our people recognized that the Serbian List is the only true political force of the Serbian people in Kosovo and Metohija, which has the clear support of our state of Serbia and President Aleksandar Vucic,'' Elek said, according to the Serbian List's announcement.

Petkovic: The convincing victory of the Serbian List in Klokot is a triumph of Serbian unity and solidarity (RTS)

Director of the Office for Kosovo and Metohija Petar Petkovic said that the convincing victory of the Serbian List in Klokot is a triumph of Serbian unity and solidarity, as well as a strong message from the Serbian people that ''united, we managed to fight for Serbian municipalities to be in Serbian hands, which is a necessary political pledge for the future of our people in Kosovo and Metohija'', reported RTS.

.

"With tonight's victory in the second round of local elections in Klokot, along with a convincing triumph in the first round in the remaining nine municipalities with a Serb majority, the Serbian List has completed its victory in all ten Serbian municipalities and shown that it has the undivided support of our people. Most importantly, Serbian municipalities will be governed by Serbian mayors, with the support of Serbian List councilors who have a much-needed majority in all local assemblies," said Petkovic.

Petkovic said that this ''historic result also carries the responsibility of the SL to fight even more strongly and resolutely for the interests of our people in this area, and in this it will have even more pronounced support from the state of Serbia, President Aleksandar Vucic and the Office for Kosovo and Metohija, so that together we can ensure a better future for our people in this area,'' he said among other things.

Odalovic: We act on all requests in the search for the missing; Kurti will do everything to make the work of institutions more difficult (RTS)

The Chairman of the Government Commission for Missing Persons, Veljko Odalovic, told RTS yesterday, regarding the European Commission's assessment that there is no progress in the search for missing persons due to the lack of cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina, that cooperation does not exist, but that Belgrade does not accept responsibility for this, because it absolutely complies with all requests and is very constructive.

"All the commitments that Pristina is taking on and is taking them on now in Brussels and most recently in Geneva, are not being respected," Odalovic said. According to him, it is very hypocritical to talk about "both sides", which is a matrix that is applied very often in the EU when they are not ready to condemn Pristina or Zagreb.

"This is very simple. We have had three requests from the Croatian side, colleagues from Croatia, for several years, and we have been inviting them to check these locations with us, and they are not coming. We do not have commission meetings, we do not have working group meetings, because they do not want to, and not us. So, accusing Serbia on this issue is hypocritical, something that really does not contribute to any move," Odalovic said.

He also assessed that threats to Serbs in Croatia should worry everyone.

Odalovic also referred to the second round of local elections in Kosovo, and said: 

"I think today is important because the results of today's elections will actually determine many things in future political relations at other levels," Odalovic said. According to him, some future coalitions in the future may depend on the local environment being created.  

He expects that there will be problems when Serbs return to institutions.

"Kurti will do everything to make the functioning of those institutions more difficult. So, just as he did everything to support the functioning of those imposed, installed institutions and those container mayors, he will now do everything to either deny it to Serbs or make it more difficult," Odalovic told RTS.

Lawyer Ninic publishes photos of destroyed vehicle of wounded Serb from Leposavic (KoSSev)

KoSSev portal reported on Saturday that Serbian lawyer Ivan Ninić published photographs of a destroyed vehicle allegedly belonging to Milan Vukašinović from Leposavic, who was reportedly seriously wounded last weekend under unclear circumstances near the village of Jelakce, close to the administrative line between Serbia and Kosovo. Vukašinović is currently being treated at the Clinical Center in Niš, where, according to Ninić, doctors are fighting for his life.

“Serb Milan Vukašinović was executed by a Serbian bullet, like an animal!” Ninić wrote on the social media platform X, calling on EULEX and KFOR to conduct an on-site investigation and urging the international community to react, claiming that “this is Banjska 2.”

“They shot at a moving vehicle, they shot Milan Vukašinović in the back. What can the people expect from this regime, from criminals in uniform, and from Aleksandar Vučić, who is losing power?” Ninić wrote, accusing Serbian authorities of concealing the incident.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/mpddh5bt

Kurti visits North Mitrovica for the first time since losing power there — refuses questions from Serbian journalist (KoSSev, Radio Mitrovica sever)

For the first time since his party lost control of North Mitrovica to Serbian list (SL) in the local elections, Albin Kurti, the leader of the Vetëvendosje Movement (LVV), visited the northern part of the city on Friday, reported KoSSev. 

Kurti arrived in North Mitrovica accompanied by senior members of Vetëvendosje — former Minister of Justice Albulena Haxhiu, former Minister of Interior Xhelal Sveçla, and former Mayor of North Mitrovica Erden Atić, as well as LVV candidate for South Mitrovica mayor, Faton Peci.

While the visit went unannounced to local Serbian-language media, Albanian-language outlets were present and Kurti gave statements exclusively to them. The LVV delegation was seen in the Albanian café Missini, located near the main bridge over the Ibar River.

During the visit, Kurti’s security repeatedly prevented a KoSSev journalist from approaching him, despite the reporter showing press credentials and politely requesting to ask a question.

When the journalist insisted on an explanation, members of the security team told her she had to “wait her turn,” and later that she needed to “get permission” — without clarifying from whom. One guard physically blocked her path by extending his arm to prevent her from getting close to the delegation.

After finishing his interview with Albanian media, Kurti entered his vehicle and drove off toward South Mitrovica, reported KoSSev.

Zakharova queries Vucic’s dual message on ammunition going to Ukraine (FoNet, N1)

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that when she listens to interviews with the Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, she isn’t sure if it is one or several different people speaking, as one set of statements is heard when he is in Moscow and another when he is elsewhere, RT Balkan reported on Friday.

When asked for a comment on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic’s recent statement that the buyers of ammunition manufactured in Serbia can do whatever they want with it, Zakharova said that Moscow has repeatedly received assurances from the Serbian leadership, including at the highest level, that the export of Serbian-made ammunition is under strict control and that these products “will not be supplied to Ukraine” for Kiev’s use against Russian soldiers.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/ycx8zsdr

Serbian Foreign Ministry state secretary surprised by Zakharova’s comments (FoNet, N1)

State Secretary at the Serbian Foreign Affairs Ministry Nevena Jovanovic responded Friday to remarks by Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, saying that Serbia is a sovereign and independent country that makes decisions solely in accordance with its national interests, and hopes its choices will be respected.

“We express surprise regarding Maria Zakharova’s latest comments directed at Serbia and its President Aleksandar Vucic,” Jovanovic said in a post on X.

She emphasized that Serbia does not supply weapons and military equipment to parties in conflict anywhere in the world and strictly and consistently adheres to international regulations and United Nations rules.

“It should also not be forgotten that, precisely at President Vucic’s recommendation, the procedures for issuing arms export permits were elevated to the decision-making level of the Council for National Security, to ensure that not a single bullet manufactured in Serbia ends up in conflict-affected areas,” the state secretary said.

“From representatives of friendly states, as well as from the official spokespersons of their institutions, we expect respect for that fact,” Jovanovic wrote, reminding Zakharova that it is precisely thanks to President Vucic that Serbia is the only country in Europe that has not imposed sanctions on Russia.

International Media

Kosovo elects mayors in 18 runoff elections (Prishtina Insight)

Voters in 18 Kosovo municipalities went to the polls on Sunday for the second round of local elections, with close contests in several key municipalities, according to CEC’s preliminary results.

Streets in several cities across Kosovo were filled with celebrations on Sunday evening as polling stations were closed in the country’s local election runoffs. Supporters of political parties beat the rain to gather outside political headquarters and in public squares, waving flags and honking car horns, after exit polls hinted at early leads in key municipalities.

The runoffs were held in 18 of Kosovo’s 38 municipalities, including in the capital Prishtina, as part of the second round of Kosovo’s local elections following the first vote on October 12, when no candidate secured a majority.

Preliminary results from the Central Election Commission, CEC, show that in the capital, incumbent mayor Përparim Rama of the Democratic League of Kosovo, LDK, won with 51.54 percent against Hajrulla Çeku of the Vetëvendosje Movement, LVV, who secured 48.46 percent of the vote, with all ballots counted.

In South Mitrovica, Faton Peci of LVV defeated Arian Tahiri of the Democratic Party of Kosovo, PDK, with 53.53 percent of the vote to Tahiri’s 46.47 percent, after 98 percent of votes were counted. Tahiri had intended to retain control of the municipality.

LVV also won in Fushë Kosova. LVV candidate Valon Prebreza got 54.99 percent of the vote while his LDK opponent Besnik Osmani received 45.01 percent. LVV secured a second term in Gjilan, where incumbent Alban Hyseni won with 61.06 percent of the vote, with all ballots counted.

LVV also won in Obilic municipality, where Halil Thaci secured 51.09 percent of the vote against Xhafer Gashi of LDK, who received 48,91 percent.

Read more at: https://tinyurl.com/3etxxx6y

Depleted uranium: The forgotten legacy of the Kosovo War (DW)

In 1999, NATO used uranium ammunition during the Kosovo War. Numerous soldiers subsequently developed cancer, and some were awarded compensation. In Kosovo, the soil remains poisonous to this day.

"I can vividly remember the last day," said Emerico Maria Laccetti, former colonel of the military division of Italian Red Cross.

During the Kosovo War in 1999, he was stationed in Albania, just a few hundred meters from the border with Kosovo. He was the commander of a field hospital for refugees from the province, which at the time belonged to Serbia.

"We stood on containers and watched the bombings," he said. "It was like a perverse New Year's Eve fireworks display. Even at a distance, you could feel the air pressure, the shock waves going through your body. But no, we were not told about the specific dangers of the weapons being used."

Read more at:https://tinyurl.com/bdh3h3d6