• Recount in one third of polling stations after discrepancies in votes for candidates (media)
• US expects actions from new Kosovo government to strengthen cooperation (RFE)
• Germany’s expectations from the new government of Kosovo (Kallxo)
• EU special representative for dialogue Peter Sorensen on a visit Kosovo and Serbia (media)
• Orav, Krasniqi discuss role of strong local governance in implementing EU reforms (media)
• Abdixhiku offers his resignation: “LDK Assembly will decide” (media)
• EULEX chief meets Wikoff and Ulutas, discusses ongoing EULEX-KFOR cooperation (media)
• Peci: Kurti and Vucic could meet in Brussels in coming months (RTV21)
• Serbian List representatives meet with JFC Naples Commander Wikoff (Kosovo Online)

Recount in one third of polling stations after discrepancies in votes for candidates (media)

Kosovo’s Central Election Commission (CEC) decided on Tuesday for a recount of votes in one third of polling stations after a sample of two percent showed discrepancies in votes for candidates for MPs, but not in votes for the parties, in the December 28 parliamentary elections. The commission recommended a full recount of votes in 10 municipalities and in 10 percent of polling stations in the other municipalities.

CEC chairperson Kreshnik Radoniqi warned that there would be legal steps toward violators. “If after the vote recount it is concluded that votes for candidates were manipulated within the parties, everything will be presented, and a criminal notice will be sent to the prosecution for all those that counted the votes and were involved in the manipulation,” he said.

CEC spokesperson Valmir Elezi said that the vote recount could take 12-14 days, Koha reports.

Gazeta Express quotes Eugen Cakolli from the Pristina-based Democracy in Action as saying that the CEC’s decision to recount the votes is an important step. “First of all, we believe that the decision by the CEC to recount the votes is exceptionally important, because it is a clear indicator that one of the key chains of the election process has failed. Even though there is currently no doubt about the accuracy of results for the political parties, we believe that the votes for candidates are equally important as the votes for the parties,” he argued.

US expects actions from new Kosovo government to strengthen cooperation (RFE)

The US Embassy in Pristina said on Tuesday that it is ready to strengthen partnership with the new government of Kosovo and to begin the Strategic Dialogue. The embassy said in a statement to the news website that this would require actions by the new government which “push forward the shared agenda for peace and regional stability and for mutual economic prosperity”.

Germany’s expectations from the new government of Kosovo (Kallxo)

The German Embassy said in a statement to the news website on Tuesday that it expects the new government of Kosovo to move forward in the normalization of relations with Serbia, the path toward EU integration and the adoption of international agreements. “We remain fully committed to supporting Kosovo on this path,” the embassy said.

The embassy also said that Germany is a friend of Kosovo and that it looks forward to working with the new government as a fully mandated partner that represents all Kosovars. “We hope to continue our close cooperation with all institutions, including the opposition, on issues that are important for all Kosovars, such as the adoption and implementation of international funding,” it said.

EU special representative for dialogue Sorensen on a visit Kosovo and Serbia (media)

Most news websites reported on Tuesday that Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will host today the EU Special Representative for Dialogue, Peter Sorensen, at 10:00. Sorensen’s visit to Pristina is part of a bigger tour in the region, during which he is expected to meet senior political leaders in Kosovo and Serbia.

Citing unnamed sources in Brussels, RTK reported that during his stay in Kosovo, Sorensen is also scheduled to meet caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and representatives of opposition parties.

Sorensen will then travel to Belgrade on Thursday.

Orav, Krasniqi discuss role of strong local governance in implementing EU reforms (media)

EU Ambassador in Kosovo, Aivo Orav, discussed the role of strong, accountable local governance in implementing EU reforms with Local Governance Administration Caretaker Minister Elbert Krasniqi. “The last Kosovo elections show how local democracy engages people and shapes policies reflecting community needs through decision-making close to them,” Orav said.

Abdixhiku offers his resignation: “LDK Assembly will decide” (media)

Leader of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) Lumir Abdixhiku said on Tuesday that he will offer his resignation at the party’s assembly which is expected to be held soon, and that the delegates will decide through their vote whether to accept his resignation or not. After a lengthy meeting with his associates at LDK headquarters, he told reporters that the meeting was informal and that the formal meeting will be that of the presidency of the LDK which is expected next week and then followed by the party’s assembly. Abdixhiku said that if the assembly does not accept his resignation, he will be obliged to continue his duties and that avoiding the decision of the party’s membership would be irresponsible.

Asked by reporters on the issue of the Kosovo President, Abdixhiku said that Kosovo does not have to go to new elections over the issue because there are many consensual candidates for the position. “If someone wants a political agreement with the LDK, they need to talk to us about the issue of the President too … They need to talk about a candidate that represents the interests of the people of Kosovo and not the interests of only one political party. I believe that many individuals will express their interest in such a noble position,” he said.

EULEX chief meets Wikoff and Ulutas, discusses ongoing EULEX-KFOR cooperation (media)

Head of the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX) Giovanni Pietro Barbano said in a post on X on Tuesday that he had an important meeting with JFC Naples Commander U.S. Navy Admiral George M. Wikoff. “A pleasure hosting him and KFOR Commander Major General Ulutas to discuss the excellent ongoing EULEX-KFOR cooperation and coordination on the ground within the framework of Kosovo security responder mechanism,” Barbano said.

Peci: Kurti and Vucic could meet in Brussels in coming months (RTV21)

Political commentator Lulzim Peci said on Tuesday that according to his information there will be a high-level meeting in Brussels in the coming months between Kosovo caretaker Prime Minister Albin Kurti and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. “According to my information, the meeting will be held in Brussels in the coming months. It is being prepared at the highest level with EU officials, Kurti and Vucic. Perhaps there what is called the sequencing of the implementation of the [Brussels] agreement will be sealed,” he said.

Serbian List representatives meet with JFC Naples Commander Wikoff (Kosovo Online)

A delegation of the Serbian List, led by party chairman Zlatan Elek, met on Tuesday with JFC Naples Commander Admiral George Wikoff, and presented their concerns about what they described as a very difficult situation for the Serb community in Kosovo. The meeting took place at KFOR Headquarters in Pristina. According to the party’s statement, representatives highlighted that Serbs in Kosovo face significant security, political and institutional challenges. The delegation stressed that preserving peace and stability is essential and emphasised the need for international security forces to continue operating fully within their mandate, ensuring impartial protection for all citizens, with special attention to the Serb community.