UNMIK Media Observer, Morning Edition, December 3, 2025

CEC does not certify Serbian List for December 28 general elections (media)
Reactions to non-certification of Serbian List for elections (media)
Urban Traffic and private transporters in Pristina return to work today (media)
Journalists Association: Sami Kurteshi physically obstructed journalists (media)
Haxhiu: Kosovo Prosecutorial Council is captured by interest groups (Express)
Rutte: For 2 years we ask Serbia to hold Banjska perpetrators accountable (media)
Kosovo’s dynamism stands out: Helvetas Director Melchior Lengsfeld states (PI)
(Il)logical fluctuations in voter numbers ahead of elections — Who should respond? (Kosovo Online)
Djuric met with US Congressman Mast in Washington (Tanjug)

CEC does not certify Serbian List for December 28 general elections (media)

All news websites report that Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) did not certify the Serbian List, the biggest Serb political party, for the December 28 general elections. Two members of the CEC voted in favor of the SL certification – CEC chairperson Kreshnik Radoniqi and the Serb member, two Vetevendosje representatives voted against the certification, and PDK, LDK and AAK representatives abstained from voting.

News websites recall that the CEC had not certified the Serbian List for the previous elections, but then the Elections Complaints and Appeals Panel had ordered the CEC to certify the Serb party.

Reactions to non-certification of the Serbian List for elections List (media)

The OSCE Mission in Kosovo, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed its strong disappointment - and deep concern - at the decision by some political party representatives within the Central Election Commission (CEC) to reject or abstain from approving the accreditation request of Srpska Lista for inclusion in the 28 December election. “The Mission condemns actions that undermine the right of political entities to participate in elections. Such actions represent a clear departure from internationally accepted electoral standards. We are seriously concerned by the growing political polarisation within the CEC, reflected in voting behaviour that appears driven by partisan interests rather than legal criteria and democratic principles. Such conduct undermines the impartiality and credibility essential for an independent election management body. These actions risk damaging public trust in the electoral process and reinforcing perceptions that decisions are politically motivated rather than guided by fairness, inclusiveness and transparency. The OSCE Mission urges the CEC and all political actors to uphold professionalism, impartiality and democratic standards, ensuring that the 28 December election is conducted fully to established international best practice,” the statement notes.

The European Union Office in Kosovo said it regrets the CEC’s decision not to certify the Serbian List. “Politicisation of CEC by the Vetevendosje Movement and other political parties is detrimental to an inclusive electoral process in line with international standards & the EU Election Observation Mission’s report,” the statement notes.

UK Ambassador to Kosovo, Jonathan Hargreaves, took to Facebook to react to the non-certification of the Serbian List for the December 28 parliamentary elections. “I am seriously concerned at the latest attempt by political actors to prevent Srpska Lista from participating in electoral processes. Such actions threaten to erode Kosovo’s hard-earned reputation as a multiethnic democracy and damage relations with its close partners. I hope that the Election Complaints and Appeals Panel will once again assess Srpska Lista’s application for certification according to Kosovo’s laws and regulations,” Hargreaves said.

The Italian Embassy in Kosovo said it regrets the non-certification of the Serbian List for the upcoming elections by the CEC. The Embassy reiterates the importance of ensuring a fully democratic electoral process, in which all political forces are able to participate in a fair and inclusive manner.

Urban Traffic and private transporters in Pristina return to work today (media)

All news websites report that Urban Traffic in Pristina and private transporters will start work today although the debt that the municipality of Pristina owes will not be erased completely. The municipality confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that the Ministry of Finance had allocated part of the municipality’s own revenues. Finance Minister Hekuran Murati said €2.7 million of own revenues were allocated to the municipality.

Journalists Association: Sami Kurteshi physically obstructed journalists (media)

The Association of Journalists of Kosovo said in a statement on Tuesday that it was shocked with the aggressive behavior and harshly condemns the physical intimidation of journalists by Vetevendosje representative at the Central Election Commission, Sami Kurteshi. “This behavior is unacceptable, and the AJK calls on the CEC to provide conditions for unobstructed reporting by journalists,” the statement notes.

Haxhiu: Kosovo Prosecutorial Council is captured by interest groups (Express)

Kosovo’s caretaker Minister of Justice, Albulena Haxhiu, claimed in a Facebook post on Tuesday that “today it is clear to everyone that which we have warned about for years. The Kosovo Prosecutorial Council for long has been captured by interest groups whose priority is not to improve the prosecutorial system but to protect their interests and the interests of individuals outside the Council. This is a bitter but undeniable reality”. Haxhiu said that reforms in the KPC are expected to be implemented in January 2026, calling it a necessary step “to restore integrity in the institution”.

Rutte: For 2 years we ask Serbia to hold Banjska perpetrators accountable (media)

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday that NATO has continuously asked Serbia to hold accountable the authors of the terrorist attack in Banjska and the attack against KFOR troops in Kosovo in 2023. “For two years, we have continuously called for the perpetrators of both cases, in Zvecan and in Banjska in 2023, to be brought to justice. My predecessor worked on this with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. I have done so too. He told me that he would work on this and get it done … We really count on Serbian authorities to do their part of the work in this respect,” Rutte said.

Kosovo’s dynamism stands out: Helvetas Director Melchior Lengsfeld states (PI)

Helvetas Director Melchior Lengsfeld says energy, ambition, and drive are among the first things that catch attention in Kosovo. In an interview with Kallxo.com, he discussed Helvetas’ mission globally, its long-term engagement in Kosovo, and the contribution of the Albanian diaspora in Switzerland.

In an Interview for Kallxo.com, director of Swiss NGO Helvetas, Melchior Lengsfeld, noted that a sustainable future begins at the local level. Their main mission, therefore, in developing countries like Kosovo is contributing at the local level.

“When governance, economy, and community participation work together, a country can build a future that is both prosperous and sustainable.”

Helvetas NGO, active in Eastern and Southeast Europe since the early 1990s, focuses its work on two main areas: economic development and integration, and political governance.

“One part of our work is about economic development, with a focus on opportunities for young people—how they start their careers, the skills they need, and how they position themselves in the labor market,” Lengsfeld explained. “The second dimension involves the political aspect: a society functions well only when its political systems function well. That’s why our long-term work in local and municipal governance remains essential.”

One of Kosovo’s greatest economic advantages lies in its large community of diaspora. Switzerland hosts almost a quarter of Kosovo’s European diaspora, and Helvetas views this connection as strategically important. Helvetas is also working on strengthening the connections between the diaspora and Kosovo.